Box Score

ST. PAUL, Minn. - It has taken a while, but the Bethel Royals are finally back up to .500 after tonight's 80-62 win over Macalester. Chris Vavra (Sr., Cambridge, Minn.) scored a season-high 26 points, and the Royals kept the Macalester Scots winless in MIAC play.

The Royals led by as many as 21 in the first half and 26 in the second, thanks to 50% shooting from the floor, and near 50% shooting from three-point land. Bethel also forced 17 first-half turnovers, which led to 21 points, compared to just four points given up to Macalester on turnovers the entire game.

Vavra's point total is his highest of the season and of his career. He has broken 20 on three other occasions during the 2009-10 campaign, and continues to lead the team with a 14.5 point per game average. Nate Robertson (Sr., Forest Lake, Minn.) notched his fourth double-double of the season and second in as many games by scoring 13 and cleaning up the boards for 10 rebounds. Greg Meyer (Fr., Brooklyn Center, Minn.) finished the night with 16 points as Bethel's second-leading scorer.

Three Scots finished with double-digit points, including Kyle Hamblett, who posted 14, and Colin Keeley, who scored 10 and added 13 rebounds off the bench for a double-double.

The win pulls Bethel to an even 9-9 overall on the season, and 5-8 in the conference. With just seven games remaining, the Royals are still in eighth place in the MIAC race. Meanwhile, Macalester is now 2-16 overall and 0-13 in the conference. Bethel is scheduled to remain on the road for its next game - a 3 p.m. bout with Concordia this coming Saturday in Moorhead.