ARDEN HILLS, Minn. – The St. Olaf College women's basketball team was defeated, 71-36, by Bethel University in Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) play on Wednesday evening at the Robertson Center.

Bethel (15-5, 10-3 MIAC), which received votes in this week's D3hoops.com national poll, remained one game out of first place in the MIAC by completing the regular-season sweep of St. Olaf (5-15, 0-13 MIAC). The Royals' press forced the Oles into 31 turnovers, which led to a 34-0 advantage in points off turnovers for the hosts.

Sophomore Elise Hahn neared a double-double with 10 points, eight rebounds, two assists, five blocked shots, and three steals as the lone double-figure scorer for St. Olaf on the night. Junior Joy Brandenstein added seven points, while first year Erin Schauer pulled down a game-high nine rebounds. The Oles scored 18 of their 36 points at the free-throw line, shooting 75.0 percent (18-for-24) at the line.

Emily Erickson and Elly Schmitz scored 14 points apiece for Bethel, which shot just 38.8 percent (26-for-67) overall and 20.8 percent (5-for-24) from three-point range. The Royals outscored the Oles by margins of 36-6 in the paint and 35-9 in bench points.

A three-pointer by Brandenstein 1:07 in gave St. Olaf its only lead of the game at 3-2. A jumper by first year Emmanuelle Sennowo with 4:33 to go in the opening quarter had the Oles within three at 8-5 before the Royals closed the quarter on a 10-0 run to take an 18-5 lead into the second.

St. Olaf limited Bethel to 11 second-quarter points but went into the half down by a 29-13 margin. The Royals broke the game wide open with a 27-point third quarter on their way to the 35-point win.

The Oles will host Saint Mary's on Saturday, Feb. 7 at 1 p.m. as part of St. Olaf's celebration of National Girls & Women in Sports Day. The team will hold an autograph session for all youth in attendance after the game.