ARDEN HILLS, Minn. – Saturday afternoon Bethel University's men's basketball squad welcomed Martin Luther College to the Robertson Center Gym and sent the Knights home rather quickly in a 93-38 win. BU drained 55 percent of its shots from the floor in the weekend affair, including 54 percent from beyond the three-point line.

In the first period the Royals took the opening lead and never surrendered its advantage the rest of the way. At the 16-minute mark BU lead 8-6, yet it was an 18-3 run in favor of Bethel University over the next five minutes that gave the Royals an insurmountable lead. BU later increased its lead to 44-14 with less than five minutes to play on an AJ Hatchett (Fr., Powder Springs, Ga.) layup. Sophomore John DeCleene (So., De Pere, Wisc.) was able to slam dunk a missed BU shot with 2:35 remaining, giving Head Coach Jeff Westlund and his crew a 34-point lead.

Throughout the initial 20 minutes the Royals rallied around solid defense and significant ball movement. BU forced 19 first-half turnovers for Martin Luther and capitalized on nearly 55 percent of its shots from the floor. Greg Meyer (Jr., Brooklyn Center, Minn.) came off the bench to contribute significant stats, including 12 first-half points. The Royals also hit 80 percent from the charity stripe.

With a 54-19 lead heading into the second half the Royals continued to move the ball well and find open shots. In fact, BU opened the second period 17-5 run on numerous lay-ups and an open three-pointer by Quinn Gorski (So., Batavia, Ill.). Bethel heightened its lead to a 56-point spread with 8:29 to play on another Hatchett jumper that put the Royals ahead 83-27. The Royals maintained a similar point spread throughout the rest of the frame and finished its contest against the Knights 93-38.

Interestingly enough four Bethel players scored in double-digits, however, no one score more than 12 points. AJ Hatchett and Greg Meyer led the Royals with 12 points each, and Hatchett pulled down eight boards, dished four assists, and tallied three steals. Taylor Hall (Jr., Blaine, Minn.) tallied 11 points and four rebounds, while Kellan Dahlquist (Sr., St. Cloud, Minn.) nearly hit a double-double with 10 points and eight rebounds.

The Royals outscored Martin Luther 42-12 in the paint and took advantage of the numerous turnovers it created to outscore the Knights 26-13 off turnovers. One of the biggest contributors to this nonconference win was strong defense and an active bench. The nonstarters outdueled MLC 56-10.

BU now will run into the Christmas break with a 5-3 record (1-2 MIAC), before it hits the ten games scheduled in January.