WAVERLY, Iowa – With four players in double figures, the Bethel University women's basketball team opened the 2024-25 season with an 84-48 win over Greenville Friday evening in Waverly, Iowa.
Bethel shot an impressive 42.9 percent (33-of-77) from the field and went 40.0 percent (8-of-20) behind the arc. BU's defense held the Panthers to 31.3 percent shooting and 1-of-7 behind the arc while forcing 33 turnovers and collecting 24 steals.
Sophomore
Emily Erickson led the way off the bench with 15 points while graduate student
Anna Garfield also added 15. Senior
Elly Schmitz in 19 minutes of action notched a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Graduate student transfer
Lydia Hay rounded out the top scorers with 10 in her Bethel debut.
Opening on a 9-0 run, it wasn't until the 6:31 mark that BU gave up its first bucket of the season. The Royals built on their 19-8 first-quarter lead with an 8-2 run to start the second. Causing five turnovers and getting four steals in the final 4:19 of the half, BU led 50-18 at the break.
The Royals' offensive attack slowed down a bit in the third as Greenville outscored BU 22-21, but the Royals still managed a 71-40 lead heading into the final quarter.
Layups from Penke, Schmitz and Garfield widen the margin to start the fourth. In the final 10 minutes, the Panthers were held to eight points with three field goals and a pair of free throws.
Greenville was led in scoring by Alyssa Seymour and Mya Mann who each had eight.
The Royals continue the road trip in Waverly taking on Westminster (MO) Saturday at 1 p.m.
