ARDEN HILLS, Minn. - The Bethel University men's basketball team can boast in its first win streak of the season, as Daniel Baah (Sr., Farmington, Minn.) hit a game-winning three pointer at the buzzer in the second overtime to push the Royals past Bethany Lutheran College 62-59 in the first round of the Perkins of Arden Hills, Minn. Tip-Off Tournament.

BU was down early as BLC claimed the 7-5 advantage with 12 minutes remaining in the opening period when Eric Hildebrandt (Sr., Faribault, Minn.) kept his hot streak alive, tallying back-to-back threes for the Royals, giving Bethel the 11-7 lead. The Royals went on to heighten its lead before half, leading at one point by nine points with 4:32 to play before it finished the half with a 24-17 lead.

Bethel built its lead to nine early in the second until the Vikings began its uprising against the Royals at the 19-minute mark. From that point BLC went on a 14-4 run over the next six minutes, which helped Bethany Lutheran posses its first lead since the 7-5 mark in the first period.  The BLC run and surrendering the lead was a wake up call to BU players, as they quickly turned the tides back in the Bethel favor. In a matter of five minutes, the Royals were back on top 40-33, managing its own 10-2 run. The sea-saw continued when Bethany Lutheran responded with a 15-6 run, making the score 48-46 with 2:28 left on the clock in the second half. Crucial fouls and critical free throw shooting kept the game close the rest of the way, and kept the score even at the end of regulation.

The first period of overtime found each team defensively aggressive and offensively lacking. Within the five minutes of play each team mustered one free throw, which brought us into the second overtime tied at 52.

The home team left no doubt in the second overtime, draining five quick points and grabbing the 57-52 advantage. As one can imagine, BLC was able to come back and tie it at 59-59 with 14 seconds remaining in the frame, but it was Daniel Baah who hit the clincher from the top of the key, sending BU on to the championship game with a 62-59 final.

The Royals clobbered the Vikings in head-to-head categories, including a 14-11 offensive rebound advantage and an 8-3 advantage in team blocks. BU also out-shot Bethany Lutheran from the floor 31.5 to 29.6 percent.

Taylor Hall (Jr., Blaine, Minn.) was ridiculous in the paint for BU, posting the team's first double-double of the season with 11 points and 13 rebounds. Hall hauled down several decisive rebounds, including a game-high five offensive boards. The junior also contributed three assists, three blocks, and two steals.

Kyle Zimmerman (So., Champlain, Minn.) composed quite the night as well, missing a double-double by one rebound. Zimmerman finished with 17 points, nine boards, two blocks, one steal, and one assist. Baah contributed greatly as well with 11 points and nine rebounds, dishing out four assists and swiping one steal.

Alex Weldon led Bethany Lutheran with 24 points and 14 rebounds, going 10-of-21 from the floor.

With Friday's win over the Vikings Bethel advances to the championship game, where BU will face a preseason ranked No. 21 University of Wisconsin-River Falls, who defeated Loras College 70-60 in the 6 p.m. game.