Box Score ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – Freshman forward Emily Erickson dropped a career-high 20 points as the Bethel University women's basketball team earned a 73-56 road victory at Saint Benedict.
 
Erickson, already coming off a previous career-high 15 points at Gustavus, did so on 7-of-12 shooting. The Royals as a team finished the night 42.6 percent from the field. Saint Ben's was 46.8 percent from the floor.
 
BU dominated the rebounding battle 34-25 and forced the Bennies into 27 turnovers compared to its 15.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Half
• After giving up a three for the game's opening bucket a minute in, the Royals went on a 12-0 run over a five-minute stretch.
• A nice dish from Alli Born to Emily Erickson for a reverse layup just beat the horn as BU led 20-7 after one quarter.
• The Royals opened the second quarter on a 6-2 run as the lead grew to 26-9.
• Late in the third CSB went on a 9-1 run of its own bringing BU's lead to single digits.
• Despite shooting 28.6 percent in the second quarter, Bethel held a 34-22 lead going into the break.
 
Second Half
• Neither team shot practically well in the third both coming in around the 35 percent mark.
• Struggles from three led to the defensive third that saw BU use a 13-5 lead over the final four minutes opening up the lead to 54-38.
• A close fourth quarter saw BU outscore the Bennies 19-18.
• Erickson's final points of the night with 5:19 to go gave the Royals their largest lead of the night at 67-44.
 
KEY PERFORMERS
• Emily Erickson added five rebounds and one block to hear stat line.
• Anna Garfield finished with 14 points, seven rebounds and six steals.
• Macey Littlefield rounded out the top scorers with 12 points off the bench.
 
UP NEXT
The Royals return to the Robertson Center on Saturday, Jan. 13 hosting St. Olaf for a 1 p.m. tip.