Box Score

ST. PAUL, Minn. - Jeff Reck (Sr., St. Paul, Minn.) scored a basket with 18 seconds remaining to tie Bethel's game against St. Thomas at 66.  Reck then stole the ball with three seconds remaining, giving the Royals the ball back.  A desperation three-point attempt by Cory Laugen (Jr., Blaine, Minn.) was no good, forcing the game to go into overtime.

However, it was in the extra period that the conference leading Tommies pulled away, and sealed a 83-77 victory over the visiting Royals. 

Bethel did well to keep themselves in the game as foul trouble limited the playing time of starters Tim Madson (Jr., Redwood Falls, Minn.) and Mike Moberg (Jr., Plymouth, Minn.).  Moberg eventually fouled out with less than a minute remaining in regulation, and finished with only seven points and six rebounds in 23 minutes of play.  Madson fouled out in overtime having scored 17 points, while grabbing five rebounds, and tallying four assists.

Nick Otterson (Jr., St. Paul, Minn.) led all scorers with 19 points, which included two three pointers and hitting 7-of-8 free throws.  Laugen, who returned to play in Bethel's most recent game against Saint John's after being sidelined by a leg injury, played 36 minutes and had 13 points, four assists, and two steals.

B.J. Viau scored 18 points and had seven rebounds, five assists, and four steals to lead the Tommies.  Two others from St. Thomas finished with double-digit points, including Lonnie Robinson, who had 16.

The loss drops Bethel to 5-5 overall and 1-4 in the MIAC, while St. Thomas improves to 9-2 overall and 5-1 in the conference.  The Royals return home to play St. Olaf at 7:30 p.m. in the Robertson Center on Wednesday.