ST. PETER, Minn. — Behind a 19-point performance from
Elly Schmitz, the Bethel University women's basketball handed No. 6th ranked Gustavus Adolphus its first loss of the season Saturday evening, 72-58.
The Royals shot 57.4 percent from the field, their second-best mark of the year while holding the Gusties to 34.8 percent as the Royals improved to 12-3 overall and 8-0 in MIAC play.
Schmitz led all scorers while
Emily Erickson wasn't too far behind with 17 points and four rebounds.
Anna Garfield added 13 points with two triples and
Colette Duininck chipped in 11 points while going a perfect 8-for-8 from the charity stripe. Duininck added six assists.
Driving the lane for a layup followed up by knocking down a three-pointer, Schmitz helped Bethel race out to a 10-2 lead in the first.
Erickson nailed a jumper with 46 seconds to play before Garfield drew a foul and hit both free throw attempts to end the first quarter with a 21-10 advantage.
Macy Littlefield turned a steal into a fastbreak layup putting the Royals up by 10 six minutes into the second quarter.
The Royals carried a 37-26 lead into the half thanks to keeping the Gusties to a pair of free throw makes in the final 2:30 of the half.
Schmitz opened the second half with a layup as she scored seven of BU's 20 third-quarter points. Back-to-back threes from Garfield and Schmitz late in the third fueled the Bethel offense to a 57-40 advantage heading into the fourth.
Attacking the rim for a layup on BU's first possession of the fourth, Schmitz gave the Royals their largest lead of the game at 59-40.
Bethel went without a field goal in the final five minutes of the game, but got it done at the charity stripe where Duininck's eight makes came.
Up next:
The Royals look to extend their winning streak to six by hosting St. Scholastica on Wednesday, Jan. 22 in the Robertson Center. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.
