STARTING FIVE
1) The Bethel University women's basketball team is nearing the end of its abbreviated 2021 season, but not without one last matchup against St. Thomas before the Tommies transition to Division I. The Royals have a tough stretch with the Tommies today, Gustavus Adolphus at home on Monday and then Rochester Community Technological College on the road Wednesday in an exhibition matchup.
2) Three seniors will be honored Saturday afternoon for their time and dedication to the Royals program. They are
Jennifer Hicks,
Elizabeth Schwarz and
Michaela Craigan.
Bella Williams and
Makenna Pearson round out a senior class but will return next year for a fifth year. This senior class has left their mark going 67-20 in their time as a Royal including a MIAC regular season and playoff championship along with a NCAA tournament appearance.
3) With 230 career steals,
Bella Williams continues to inch up the record books where she ranks third all-time. She holds the single-season steals record with 115 takeaways last season and most recently tied the single-game record with her 11 steals against Saint Benedict. Williams ranks
4) Kat Brown-Erdal and
Elizabeth Schwarz have led the offensive charge this season where the two have combined to lead BU in scoring in all seven games. Brown-Erdal leads the team with 16.0 points per game while Schwarz is not to after behind her at 14.8 points per game. Brown-Erdal's best game of the year came against Saint Mary's where she poured in a career-high 30 points while Schwarz has hit double digit soring figures in six games.
5) Bethel trails the all-time series 6-39 with one of those wins coming last season at Schoenecker Arena, 65-49. The two teams met in the season opener on Feb. 3 and in true Royals versus Tommies fashion it came down to the wire. Bethel came up empty on three game-tying looks in the final 15 seconds as UST came out on top 69-66. The Royals last win at home against St. Thomas last came on Feb. 8, 2006 by a score of 81-71.
