ARDEN HILLS, Minn. – The Bethel University women's basketball team earned a top two seed in the MIAC Playoffs following a 52-33 win over Hamline Saturday afternoon inside the Robertson Center.
Anna Garfield led all scorers with 14 points while adding four rebounds and four assists.
Elly Schmitz poured in 13 points with nine rebounds, four blocks and two steals.
For the game BU shot 35.4 percent while holding Hamline to a season-low 21.3 percent from the field.
Both teams struggled from the field in the opening 10 minutes as BU led 8-4. The Royals opened the second quarter on a 8-2 run through the first three minutes.
The Royals defense held the Pipers to a lone layup in the final 3:14 of the half as the 10-2 run sent Bethel into the locker room up 28-15.
Bethel was held to three field goals in third while doing most of their work at the charity stripe, where they went 6-for-8 in the quarter and 13-fo-15 for the game.
Hamline made a 9-1 run to get within 37-29 with over four minutes to go in the third. BU's defense then held the Pipers to a lone field goal, which was a three at the buzzer, putting BU's advantage at 42-32 heading into the fourth.
The defense shined in the fourth, forcing Hamline to go 0-of-11 from the field and one lone free throw make. BU outscored the Piper 10-1 through the final 10 minutes.
UP NEXT
The 19-4 Royals will kick off the final week of the regular season next Wednesday, traveling to St. Scholastica. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
