ARDEN HILLS, MINN.—The Bethel University women's basketball team completed their season sweep of St. Catherine with an 88-56 victory at Robertson Center Gymnasium on Saturday afternoon.
The Royals conclude the 2025-26 regular season with a 19-6, 14-4 MIAC record and earn the No. 3 seed in the MIAC Playoffs, where they'll host No. 6 seed St. Scholastica at Robertson Center in one of the quarterfinals on Tuesday, February 24 at 7 p.m. The Wildcats finish their season with an 11-14, 6-12 MIAC record.
Bethel 88, St. Catherine 56
St. Catherine was in the driver's seat for 7:43 of clock time in an opening frame that resulted in three lead changes, and saw both teams shoot .444 (8-of-18) from the field. The momentum swung in Bethel's favor at the first quarter's final buzzer, when Elly Schmitz's three-pointer put her team in front for good at 21-20.Â
That kick started a 16-0 run capped by Schmitz's layup with 4:25 left in the second quarter that gave Bethel a double-digit 34-20 cushion they didn't surrender en route to an 88-56 victory over the Wildcats.
Emily Erickson paced Bethel with 24 points to go with seven rebounds and two steals. Cally Peterson had 15 points while Elly Schmitz and Savannah Belongia came off the bench with 13 and 10 points, respectively. Alli Born had a team-leading nine rebounds, while Colette Duininck led the way with six assists and three steals for the Royals.
Bethel shot .419 (26-of-62) from the field, and held St. Catherine to .356 (21-of-56) shooting. The Wildcats were led by Jordyn Peed's 13 points.
The Royals honored Elly Schmitz, Colette Duininck, Alli Born, Jaelin Boyd, Rosalie Penke, Lexi Schermann, and manager Abe Evenhouse for senior day.Â
