BOX SCORE
ARDEN HILLS, Minn. – Bethel University hosted d3hoops.com preseason ranked No. 21 University of Wisconsin-River Falls Saturday night in the championship game of the Perkins of Arden Hills, Minn. Tip-Off Tournament. The Royals owned the lead the majority of the night, but suffered a heart-breaking 65-62 loss at the final buzzer.
BU was electric immediately in the first half. After a double-overtime battle last night against Bethany Lutheran, Bethel was set to prove that fatigue was not a factor. The Royals started on an 11-2 run in the initial five minutes of the first period, as four BU players contributed right away and the Royal defense was stifling. Bethel continued to keep its food on the gas pedal as they kept a nine-point spread till the 8:43-mark. The Falcons clawed into the lead, yet the Royals managed a six-point lead at the halfway point.
Taylor Hall (Jr., Blaine, Minn.) continued to showcase impeccable strength, recording nine points in the paint along with four rebounds at the half. Kyle Zimmerman (So., Champlain, Minn.) was also on his way with six points.
In the second period Bethel pushed its lead back to nine just three minutes in and controlled the tempo all the way until the 13-minute mark. In fact, the Royals still held an eight-point advantage with 6:29 left to play. River Falls continued to test the Royals defensively and picked up its play in the paint the remainder of the way. Bethel's toughest task came at the three-minute mark, when UW-RF applied a full court press that enabled the Falcons to take its first lead of the game at the 3:19 mark. The Royals stayed in striking distance throughout the remainder of the game, but could not overcome the slight advantage UW-River Falls possessed. In the end the Falcons edged Bethel University 65-62.
The Royals shot moderately well from the floor in Saturday nights contest, converting 43.4 percent of its field goals, along with 38 percent of its three-pointers. BU struggled from the line, converting just nine-of-16 shots from the charity stripe. River Falls was able to overcome BU's lead throughout the first 37 minutes with aggressive post play and strong defense. UW-RF outscored the Royals in the paint 26-12 and forced the Royals into 15 turnovers.
Daniel Baah (Sr., Farmington, Minn.) led the Royals in total points Saturday, cashing in 11 second-half points to finish with 15 total points. Baah also dished out four assists.
Taylor Hall wracked up 14 points and seven rebounds in the competition, while assisting two field goals. Zimmerman finished with eight points and five boards.
Bethel looks to continue its aggressive and competitive play as it travels to Storm Lake, Iowa Tuesday to take on the Buena Vista University Beavers at 7:30 p.m.
