MISHAWAKA, Ind. — The Bethel College women’s basketball team jumped out early and never looked back, cruising to a 77-43 victory over Goshen College, Wednesday night at the Wiekamp Center.

Bethel led 28-3 after 10 minutes of play behind the early sharp shooting of Laura Johnson and Georgia Boisse and an aggressive defense that forced 19 turnovers in the first half. Bethel held a 46-23 lead at the intermission.

The second half was much of the same as BC’s lead swelled to as many as 39 points.

All 16 Lady Pilots saw action before the dust had settled with Johnson’s game high 19 points leading the way. Boisse added 13 points and Ashlee Ort 10 points respectively.

Dowagiac’s Katy Stuppy had four points.

Neither team shot the ball particularly well but Goshen’s 35 turnovers were too much to overcome.

“The tone was set early with defensive pressure,” said Bethel Coach Jody Martinez. “At the 10 minute mark, we had given up three points. To force 35 turnovers was a tribute to all 16 players who played tonight. Laura had a career high in steals with seven and Ort was very active again with six steals.

“We need to continue to stay motivated to get better on the offensive end. Our 3-point shooting got us going early in the game and passing to the open player was really good. Johnson (five 3-pointers) and Boisse (three 3-pointers) did a great job of hitting the open shot when their teammates got them the ball. I felt like our bench did an excellent job of maintaining intensity tonight.”

The Lady Pilots, now 9-1 overall and 2-0 in the MCC will host Taylor University Saturday at 1 p.m.