ARDEN HILLS, Minn. – A quick start for the Bethel University women's basketball team paced the way for a 68-46 MIAC victory at Saint Benedict Wednesday evening. The Royals had their best shooting performance of the year at 54.2 percent (32-of-59), where 58 of their points came inside the paint.
 
Sophomore guard Anna Garfield led all scorers with a career-high 16 points on 8-of-14 shooting. Fifth-year Makenna Pearson and freshman Hayden Glander rounded out BU's top scorers with 14 and 12 points respectively.
 
Bella Williams capped out a 33-minute night with an even stat line of nine rebounds, nine assists, five steals and four points.
 
An up and down start to the game, Williams sparked a 9-0 run for the Royals giving them a 15-6 lead. Shooting 64.3 percent in the opening quarter and holding the Bennies to three field goals, the Royals led 19-10.
 
Saint Benedict pulled within four but the Royals quickly pushed the lead to 11 as Pearson scored in transition. Pearson scored nine of her 14 in the quarter sending BU into the locker room up 32-22.
 
The Royals kept their lead at double digits the rest of the way. An 11-0 run in the fourth capped off by a free throws from Lindsey Tschetter gave Bethel its largest advantage of the night at 41-66.
 
Winners now of four straight, Bethel returns to the Robertson Center Saturday taking on St. Olaf at 1 p.m.