ARDEN HILLS, Minn. – Bethel University moved one step closer to the postseason picture with a 60-46 win over Saint Mary's University Monday night, as
Taylor Hall finished with 22 points and seven rebounds in the Royal's third straight victory. BU finished the game shooting 46 percent, and outscored the visiting Cardinals 34-10 in points in the paint. Furthermore, the Royals defense held SMU to 30 percent shooting, as only four players scored a field goal.
Play in the first period remained even throughout the first four minutes as Saint Mary's led 9-7, with 15:44 to play. It was then, though, that BU composed a 22-4 run that propelled the Royals to a 29-13 lead with 2:32 on the clock. The Cardinals finished the period on a 7-2 run, however, minimizing the Bethel lead to 11 going into the locker room.
At the midway point, BU had outscored SMU 16-2 in points in the paint, 8-0 in points off turnovers, and 9-0 in bench points. Bethel took advantage of a full court press that welcomed seven first-half turnovers for the Cardinals, feeding several unanswered buckets.
Taylor Hall (Jr., Blaine, Minn.) finished the first period with 10 points and two rebounds, while
Daniel Baah (Sr., Farmington, Minn.) ended the frame with seven and three.
The second half began very sloppy, as the two teams combined for 11 turnovers in the opening ten minutes. In that time period SMU narrowed the margin to seven, but Bethel responded with a 9-3 run that boosted the lead back to 15. The Royals maintained its lead throughout the end of the 20-minute segment, beating Saint Mary's 60-46.
In the second it was more dominance, as Bethel outscored the Cardinals 18-8 in points in the paint, adding to a total paint domination of 34-10 throughout the 40 minutes. BU shot even better in the latter period, finishing the frame 11-for-22 from the floor for 50 percent shooting. Hall made 4-of-4 from the free-throw line and 4-of-9 from the floor for 12 points and five boards. Baah also finished with five and four rebounds, along with three assists and two steals.
For the game The Royals defensively held SMU to 30 percent shooting, while only two players scored more than two field goals – and only four players scored a bucket. Michael Burfeind led the Cardinals with 15 points and three rebounds on 6-of-12 shooting.
Beyond Hall's performance was Baah, who finished with 12 points and seven rebounds. Baah also managed five assists and two steals. The Royals 8-0 advantage in fast-break points was a major benefactor in the 60-46 decision.
Bethel received help from Gustavus tonight, as the Gusties knocked down Saint John's 58-40 – moving the Royal's into sole possession of fifth place. Despite the BU win and Johnnies loss, Bethel will still need to play inspired ball Wednesday and Saturday to decide its postseason fate. It all starts Wednesday, as Bethel hosts St. Thomas at 7:30 p.m. in the Robertson Center Gym.
