ARDEN HILLS, MINN.—The Bethel University women's basketball team's 14-3 run to kick off the second half was the game's turning point, as they never surrendered their lead from that point in a 77-71 victory over St. Scholastica at Robertson Center Gymnasium on Saturday afternoon.

The Royals improve to 15-6, 10-4 MIAC, while the Saints fall to 15-6, 10-4 MIAC.

Bethel 77, St. Scholastica 71

Four of the game's five lead changes occurred in the first half, where St. Scholastica was in the driver's seat for 18:22 of clock time. This included their 38-35 lead at halftime.

The Royals came out in the second half firing on all cylinders, as Elly Schmitz's three-pointer with 6:57 left in the third quarter capped a 14-3 run and put her team in the driver's seat for good at 44-40. Despite St. Scholastica shooting 11-of-23 (.478) in the second half, they couldn't muster another lead on a Bethel team that registered a 16-of-36 (.444) field goal mark in the second half. The Royals, who jumped to their largest lead of the game at 60-47 off Emily Erickson's jumper with 00:57 left in the third, hung on for a 77-71 victory.

Erickson finished with a team-leading 18 points as well as two steals for Bethel. Elly Schmitz came off the bench with a double double 14 points, 12 rebounds, four assists, and two blocks. Colette Duininck had a team-leading six assists to go with six assists, two blocks, and two steals. With 13 points apiece and a combined seven assists was Alli Born and Alaina Bonaquista.

Bethel finished .441 (30-of-68) from the field, while St. Scholastica was .490 (24-of-49).

The Royals will host Hamline at Robertson Center on Wednesday, February 11 at 7 p.m.