ARDEN HILLS, Minn. – Senior guard Bella Williams tied a program single-game record 11 steals in the Bethel University women's basketball 81-69 win over Saint Benedict. Williams ties former teammate Haylee Barker who accomplished the feat last season against Vassar.

The Royals usual pesky defense forced Saint Benedict (3-3, 2-3 MIAC) into 25 turnovers, converting that into 27 points on the other end. BU finished the game with a season-best 20 steals.

On the offensive end, Bethel put four players in double-digit scoring figures led by Kat Brown-Erdal with 16 points. Elizabeth Schwarz continued posing a threat inside with 15 points, while Makenna Pearson put in 12 and Jennifer Hicks a career-high 11 points. Also of note, the Royals assisted on 27 of their 33 makes.

Williams added eight assists and seven boards while Schwarz added eight rebounds herself, four of which came on the offensive end.

Trailing for only the opening 2:20 of the game, Bethel led 17-11 at the end of the first. An explosive second quarter offensively saw Bethel (3-2, 2-1 MIAC) go on a 14-0 run for a 44-31 advantage at the break.

After turning it over 12 times in the first half, BU cleaned it up on the offensive end with only seven turnovers. A steal and the transition bucket by Williams at the 8:10 mark in the fourth gave the Royals their largest margin over the Bennies at 74-51.

Up next the Royals are scheduled to have their final road test of the season traveling to Gustavus Adolphus on Monday. 

Story provided by Austin Lagesse, Bethel University Assistant Sports Information Director