Box Score

ARDEN HILLS, Minn.—Brycen Wojta's second 25-plus point performance in as many games and a double-double from Luke Buttenhoff highlighted Bethel's 72-60 win over Hamline University Saturday. The Royals (9-3, 5-2 MIAC) topped the Pipers (6-7, 3-5 MIAC) by holding them to 40 percent shooting, including a dismal 4-of-20 effort from long range.
 
Despite not having anyone on the roster taller than 6-5 and having most of their players around 6-2, the Royals found a way to outscore Hamline in the paint 44-26. Additionally, Bethel forced the Pipers into 21 turnovers, which led to 23 points off turnovers—opposed to Hamline's seven.
 
Hamline held a three-point lead just over two minutes into the game, but lost it just over a minute later and never regained it again. The Royals utilized a 14-3 run in the middle of the second period to pull ahead by 16 and never looked back.
 
After dropping 26 points on Gustavus Wednesday in St. Peter, Brycen Wojta proved his play isn't a fluke by scoring 25 more today on 11-of-20 shooting. Wojta has scored in double figures 10 out of 12 times with five games over 20. His 17.2 points per game average ranks No. 4 among all conference players. Wojta also had seven rebounds against the Pipers.
 
In addition, Luke Buttenhoff had his first double-double of the season after joining the team three weeks ago following the football season. Buttenhoff scored 14 points on 6-of-12 shooting and collected 10 boards—six offensive—while also securing two steals.
 
The Royals finished 9-of-10 (90 percent) from the foul line Saturday, while draining 44.8 percent of their shots from the floor. Bethel tallied 13 steals collectively, opposed to Hamline's four.
 
For Bethel, Saturday's afternoon victory was their ninth win in their last 11 contests—improving their MIAC record to 5-2. Currently tied for third in the conference standings, the Royals will take on St. Thomas at home Monday night with tipoff set for 7:30 p.m. The Tommies are alone at the top with a 6-0 mark against league foes in 2013-14.