Box Score  | Video highlights

ST. PAUL—Double-double performances by both Taylor Hall (Sr., Blaine, Minn.) and Kyle Zimmerman (Jr., Champlin, Minn.) weren't enough Monday against St. Thomas, as Bethel fell on the road 64-75.
 
The Royals (12-10, 8-9 MIAC) trailed the Tommies (21-1, 16-1 MIAC) by as many as 20 points with 4:42 left in the first half, but a strong effort closed the gap to six points just four minutes into the second frame. UST got a big bucket from leading scorer Will DeBerg to stop the 18-4 run BU had amassed over an eight minute time frame, giving St. Thomas the edge throughout the rest of the contest.
 
Taylor Hall finished the game with his sixth double-double of the season, scoring 20 points and grabbing 10 rebounds, while Kyle Zimmerman mustered his fifth double dip with a 19-point, 14-board effort. Hall added three blocks and two assists, while Zimmerman assisted four shots.

“T-Hall”, “Zim”, and the rest of the Royals finished the game showcase shooting 43 percent from the field, but just 29.4 (5-of-17) from long range. Meanwhile, the Tommies finished the game with a shooting mark of 51.1 percent from the floor and 45 percent from beyond the perimeter.
 
Bethel benefitted from the nine St. Thomas turnovers, tallying a 10-6 scoring advantage on points off turnovers. Yet, it was the Tommies 38-11 scoring margin in bench points that dictated the game, as UST had two bench players score in double figures.
 
The closest BU came in the final 10 minutes was within 10 points, but St. Thomas always had an answer at that moment in time. With 4:37 remaining in the second half, Bethel went on a 6-1 run that had momentum trending towards the Royals, but it was senior forward Tommy Hannon that silenced Bethel with a bucket inside.
 
The loss drops BU to 12-10 overall and 8-9 in conference play—making it three straight blemishes—but the Royals remain optimistic as they return home for three straight games against Saint Mary's, Hamline, and Macalester—the three lowest teams in the conference standings. As it stands now, Bethel is two games out of playoff contention with a week and a half left in regular season play. Saturday's tipoff against Saint Mary's is scheduled for 3 p.m. with live stats and webcasts both available here.