Box Score

Menomonie, Wis.—Despite outscoring its opponent 39-27 in the second half Tuesday night, the Bethel University men's basketball squad dropped its 2013-14 season debut on the road to the University of Wisconsin-Stout, 72-55.
 
The Royals (0-1, 0-0 MIAC) were held to just 18 percent shooting in the first half, yet responded nicely in the second with 39 points on 12-of-26 shooting (46.2 percent). But it wasn't enough to top the Blue Devils (2-1, 0-0 WIAC), who finished the game shooting 56.3 percent from the floor and 41.7 percent from beyond the perimeter.
 
BU went on a 10-2 run early in the second half, as Brycen Wojta capped off the surge with a 3-pointer. Wojta finished the night with a game-high 21 points on 7-of-13 shooting, while fellow freshman Edward Scott added 12 points off the bench. Scott manufactured seven of his 12 points on 7-of-8 shooting from the charity stripe, which helped the Royals finish 19-of-27 (70.4 percent) from the foul line.
 
Wojta and Scott's performance weren't enough, however, as UW-Stout held Bethel to 4-of-19 shooting from long-range and just 15 total rebounds. The Royals were able to capitalize on their defensive intensity, though, as BU created 23 Blue Devil turnovers, which included 11 steals, that resulted in 21 points off turnovers. Bethel, meanwhile, was only charged nine turnovers and allowed Stout just six steals.
 
The Royals will host their 25th annual Tip-Off Tournament this weekend at the Robertson Center Gym, where they will welcome Luther, Marian, and UW-Eau Claire. Marian and Luther are set to begin play at 6 p.m. on Friday evening, followed by Bethel's matchup against the Blugolds of UW-Eau Claire at 8 p.m. The loser of both games will play one another Saturday at 6 p.m., followed by the winner's matchup at 8 p.m. Live stats and webcast will be available for all contests here.