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ARDEN HILLS, Minn. – A big first half lead rewarded Bethel University's men's basketball team with a 79-72 win over Concordia College, but fans got a true barn-burner in Wednesday night's MIAC midweek matchup. The Royals (9-6, 5-5 MIAC) led by as many as 13 multiple times, but the Cobbers (10-5, 7-3 MIAC), who were in second place among conference teams, battled back late in the second half—trailing by one point with 9:33 left in the period—only to fall in the end.
 
Bethel took advantage of 50 percent shooting (15-of-30) in the first frame to go into the half with the 39-30 advantage. BU cooled off in the second, shooting just 44.83 percent (13-of-29), but hit clutch shots when needed to secure the victory. In addition to clutch shooting, Bethel had a strong night at the foul line—converting 20-of-25 opportunities from the foul line.
 
The Royals were sensational in the paint—outscoring the Cobbers 34-26 around the rim—and got a great effort from its bench, as Luke Buttenhoff (Jr., Watertown, Minn.), Derek Wolhowe (Jr., Staples, Minn.), and Jared Nelson (Fr., Lino Lakes, Minn.) combined for 19 points.
 
It was Taylor Hall (Sr., Blaine, Minn.), however, who led Bethel—finishing with a game-high 25 points, 12 rebounds, five assists, two blocks, and two steals. The 25 and 12 effort resulted in Hall's fourth double-double of the season. Meanwhile, his counterpart Kyle Zimmerman (Jr., Champlin, Minn.) just missed his fifth double dip of the season—finishing tonight's contest with 13 points and nine boards.

Tonight's win continued BU's streaky schedule, as the Royals have had a teeter-totter pattern resulting in multiple wins or losses at a time. Despite following the first game's loss with a win, BU has not had a one-game streak throughout the entire 2012-13 schedule.

Bethel will resume conference play Saturday, as the Royals travel to St. Paul to take on Macalester College at the Leonard Center at 3 p.m. The Scots are 4-10 overall, including a 1-8 record against league opponents.