Box Score Box Score

NORTHFIELD, Minn.—Despite a slim 37-36 halftime lead, Bethel University's men's basketball squad could not hold its advantage down the stretch against St. Olaf College Saturday—falling 73-79. The Royals (12-9, 8-8 MIAC) shot 50 percent from the floor and 52.9 percent (9-of-17) from downtown in Saturday's matinee, but only made 60 percent (12-of-20) from the foul line and allowed the Oles (8-12, 7-8 MIAC) to make 53.7 percent from the field in the six-point defeat.
 
With the conference loss, Bethel is currently on the outside of the playoff picture looking in. Consecutive losses have dropped the Royals to 8-8 against league opponents and just a game behind Carleton in sixth place. However, with four games left, BU still has a chance to finish in fourth place overall.
 
Bethel's 73-79 setback against St. Olaf can be credited to 12 team turnovers for the Royals, in which the Oles turned into 17 points, opposed to BU's eight points off of eight Ole turnovers. Additionally, St. Olaf acquired 24 points from its bench. The Royals did however, outrebound the Oles (30-28) and shoot better from downtown, but a 60 percent free throw mark for Bethel tipped the scales in favor of the hosting Oles Saturday.
 
JD Robinson (Sr., Plymouth, Minn.) led the Royals with 24 points on 9-13 shooting in 34 minutes. Four other players scored in double figures, including Kyle Zimmerman (Jr., Champlin, Minn.) who finished with 13 points, six boards, and two blocks. Taylor Hall (Sr., Blaine, Minn.) was limited in minutes due to foul trouble, but finished with 11 points, four rebounds, and two assists.
 
The Royals travel to St. Paul Monday night to take on the Tommies, who have clinched a spot in the MIAC Playoffs with a 15-1 record against conference opponents. Following Monday's conference matchup, Bethel returns home to host Saint Mary's, Hamline, and Macalester in the final three games of the regular season. Monday evening's contest is set to begin at 7:30 p.m.