Box Score  | Video Highlights
 
ARDEN HILLS, Minn.—56 percent shooting, including 52.6 from downtown, was highly beneficial for Bethel University's men's basketball team, who downed Saint John's 86-59 in front of a packed Robertson Center Gym Wednesday night. The Royals' (6-4, 2-3 MIAC) first game back in conference action since December 5 proved to be no issue, as BU held the opposing Johnnies (3-7, 2-3 MIAC) to 32.8 percent shooting and 7.1 percent from beyond the 3-point arc.
 
Bethel got ahead early in the opening frame and never looked back the rest of the night. Building a 20-8 lead in the opening eight minutes was just the beginning, as a SJU timeout did nothing to slow the streaky Royals. By the end of the first half Bethel had amassed a 48-22 lead.
 
The Royals increased its margin to 30 with a 58-28 lead four minutes into the second period, and despite the Johnnies trimming the gap to 20 with 4:19 to play, Bethel held the 27-point advantage in the end.
 
Taylor Hall (Sr., Blaine, Minn.) finished 10-of-17 from the floor with 22 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and three blocks. “T-Hall” finished with 14 points in the second half to push the Royals to its second conference victory of the season.
 
Quinn Gorski (Jr., Batavia, Ill.) had an exceptional night from the floor, finishing with 17 points, three assists, and three steals. Gorski lit up the net with 6-of-8 shooting and a perfect 4-of-4 from the charity stripe.
 
Gorksi had aid from long range too, as JD Robinson (Sr., Plymouth, Minn.) and Jared Nelson (Fr., Lino Lakes, Minn.) cashed in from downtown. Robinson delivered 15 points on 3-of-6 shooting and Nelson 12 points on 3-of-5 shooting from beyond the 3-point arc. As a team, Bethel finished 10-of-19 from 3-point land—increasing its league leading standings in 3-point attempts per game (19.6).
 
BU created 16 Johnnie turnovers, which led to a 19-7 point differential in points off turnovers. Meanwhile, Saint John's did outrebound the Royals 40-33 and outscored Bethel in second chance points and points in the paint.
 
The Royals hope to even its conference record Saturday, as they welcome St. Olaf to the Robertson Center Gym for a 3 p.m. matchup. The Ole's were defeated by Concordia 85-70 Wednesday evening in Northfield, as the Cobber's utilized its 64.3 percent shooting in the second half to edge St. Olaf.