Box Score

ARDEN HILLS, Minn.—Saturday afternoon's MIAC matinee was worth every penny, as Bethel University held on to defeat Carleton College 74-73 at the Robertson Center Gym. The Royals (12-7, 8-6 MIAC) ended the first half with a three-point advantage, but a Knight (10-8, 7-6 MIAC) comeback fell just short in the end as Carleton's Shane McSparron had a game-tying 3-pointer dribble around the rim and just out in the final seconds.
 
Bethel finished the night with a strong shooting performance, bucketing 49.2 percent (30-of-61) of its shots from the floor, despite a struggle from long-range—making just 4-of-15 from the perimeter. However, a 34-30 rebounding advantage allowed the Royals to outscore the Knights 48-18 in the paint.
 
The Royals increased its 37-34 lead at the intermission break to 12 points with 12:05 remaining in the second frame, however, Carleton's Tom Sawatzke refused to let the Knights go away quietly, as his 17 second half points kept Carleton close throughout the game.
 
Yet Taylor Hall (Sr., Blaine, Minn.) had an answer for Sawatzke and the Knights, finishing the game with 37 points and 14 rebounds. Hall was relentless in the first half, recording a double-double (20 points, 10 boards) alone in the first 20 minutes. Hall finished with four assists, and three blocks to his name as well.
 
In addition to Hall, it was Kyle Zimmerman (Jr., Plymouth, Minn.) finishing with 15 points, eight rebounds, and two assists. Derek Wolhowe (Jr., Motely, Minn.) also had 11 points—none bigger than a 3-pointer from the corner that gave the Royals the lead for good with 3:37 left in the game. The junior from Motley, Minn., also added three assists and two rebounds.
 
In addition to Carleton's Sawatzke, who finished with 26 points and four rebounds, Scott Theisen also finished with 11 points, 11 boards, and seven assists.
 
Bethel has now won five of their last six games, improving to 8-6 in the conference—tied for fourth in the conference. The Royals are one game out of third and two games out of second, but stand in a tie with Saint John's—BU's next competitor Wednesday night in Collegeville, Minn. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Sexton Arena.