Box Score

ARDEN HILLS, Minn. - Tim Madson (Jr., Redwood Falls, Minn.) scored 22 points while Mike Moberg (Jr., Plymouth, Minn.) posted his sixth double-double of the season, but it was not enough as the Royals fell 69-54 to the visiting Gustavus Gusties.

Bethel trailed for almost the entire game, despite playing some tenacious defense against an excellent shooting team in Gustavus.  The Royals held Gusties leading scorer Trevor Wittwer to 14 points - two points less than his 16 ppg season average.

Offensively, Bethel struggled to find their rhythm as they were held to 20-for-50 shooting from the floor.  Of their 20 made field goals, only one was from behind the arc, a stark contrast to a week and a half ago when they sank 12 three-pointers in the first half alone.

Moberg started out the game strong for the Royals, scoring 12 of their first 17 points.  However, he was held to just four points in the second half, as he finished with 16 while corralling 13 rebounds and blocking five Gustavus shots. 

In addition to Wittwer, Kane Sivesind and Jesse Van Sickle also scored 14 points to lead the way for the Gusties.

The loss drops Bethel to 10-7 overall and 6-6 in the MIAC, keeping them 1/2 game behind Concordia who lost to St. Olaf this evening.  The Royals hold just a 1/2 game edge over the Oles in the standings.  Gustavus improves to 14-4 overall and 10-3 in the conference.  They remain a full game back of St. Thomas who defeated Hamline tonight.

The Royals will hit the road for their next game to play a key game with Saint John's, whom they also trail in the standings.  Tip off will be at 3 p.m. in Collegeville, Minn.