BOX SCORE

SAINT PAUL, Minn. - The Bethel Men's Basketball team knew they would face a daunting foe in the St. Thomas Tommies Saturday afternoon, but riding a 2-game winning streak, momentum was on the Royals side. Despite outscoring the Tommies in the second half, the Royals came up short and fell to fellow MIAC opponent St. Thomas 82-72.

The Royals put themselves in a jam in the first half as they found themselves behind by 15 points heading into the locker room. In the first, Taylor Hall (So., Blaine, Minn.) led Bethel in scoring as he collected 8 points of the Royals 22 total.

The second half was a much better story for the Royals as they fought hard to gain an edge on the Tommies. While they came up just short in the game, it was an encouraging sign for the young Royal squad to outscore the nationally ranked St. Thomas Tommies in a half of play. Hall would go on to lead the Royals in scoring with 16 points, while Greg Meyer (So., Brooklyn Center, Minn.) finished with 15 points and Christian Skinner (Fr., Sioux Falls, S.D.) with 10. Bethel shot 54 percent from the field in the second half.

St. Thomas in now 9-0 at home this season and has won 53 consecutive on-campus games against conference foes.

With the loss, the Royals look to regroup and come out strong against Saint John's University Monday night. They battle the Johnnies at the Robertson Center starting at 7:30 p.m.