BOX SCORE

WINONA, Minn. - Traveling down to Winona, where the Bethel Royals Men's Basketball team took on the Saint Mary's University Cardinals this evening, the Royals entered the affair coming off a loss to the St. Thomas Tommies on Saturday evening and were in search of their first conference victory. Unfortunately despite a tough battle, the Royals fell to the Cardinals Monday evening by a score of 79-64

In the first half of play, Bethel fought hard and kept the game close throughout the period. The score at the end of the first half of regulation was 40-36 in favor of the Cardinals. Offensively, Eric Hildebrandt (Jr., Faribault, Minn.) was having a career night for the Royals as he led the team with 11 points and was 4-5 shooting from the field. Taylor Hall (So., Blaine, Minn.) had 9 points of his own as the Royal fought hard in their attempt to take down the Cardinals

Saint Mary's Chris Palmer was too much for the Royals to contain in the second half, as he took over the game and finished with 35 points on the evening. Despite Palmer's effort the Royals continually found themselves in the game as Hall finished with 21 points and Hildebrandt collected a total of 13. Greg Meyer (So., Brooklyn Center, Minn.) also had a very respectable evening finishing with 10 points. While the Royals went down in defeat, they had a balanced scoring attack that will enable them to string together some wins in the future.

Up next for the 2-5 Royals will be Saint John's University, whom they face off against Wednesday evening in Collegeville, Minnesota.