Box Score  | Video Highlights

New Ulm, Minn. – The Royals' men's basketball squad buried 18-of-20 free throws to secure a 93-80 victory over Martin Luther College in a Saturday matinee. Bethel (4-4, 1-3 MIAC) utilized a 46-point first half to route the hosting Knights (0-6, 0-0 UMAC), who before Bethel, had yet to play a Division III opponent.
 
In Saturday's road victory, BU's Taylor Hall (Sr., Blaine, Minn.) rattled in 7-of-12 field goal attempts and 5-of-6 free throws for 19 points, while boarding nine rebounds and dishing six assists. Kyle Zimmerman (Jr., Champlin, Minn.) recorded his third double-double of the season with a 17-point, 11-rebound effort. Zimmerman also dropped four dimes and sniped three steals. The Champlin, Minn. native has returned from his early-season injury to average 17.8 points per game and 8.8 rebounds.
 
The Royals had a favorable shooting advantage, draining 17-of-37 (45.9) shots in the first half, followed by 15-of-27 (55.5) in the second 20-minute period. JD Robinson (Sr., Plymouth, Minn.), Aden Casey (Fr., Side Lake, Minn.), Derek Wolhowe (Jr., Staples, Minn.), and Bjorn Westlund (Sr., Mounds View, Minn.) all helped BU shoot 45.8 percent from beyond the 3-point arc as well. Wolhowe went 3-for-3 and Casey 2-for-2, while Robinson went 3-for-6 and Westlund finished 3-for-8.
 
Perhaps the most telling story came at the charity stripe though, as the Royals not only knocked down jumpers from long range, but they also made 13-of-14 free throws in the second half—an area they had struggled recently.
 
The Knights had two players score over 20 points, including Galen Holzhueter who singed the net for 29 points and seven rebounds.
 
Head coach Jeff Westlund and his team will return home to face Crown College in its final game of the 2012 calendar year next Saturday. Tipoff for the nonconference game at the Robertson Center Gym is scheduled for 3 p.m.