Box Score

ARDEN HILLS, Minn.—Luke Buttenhoff played possessed Wednesday night, as the multi-sport athlete finished with 30 points—a career high—on 14-of-18 shooting to help the Bethel University men's hoops squad defeat Saint Mary's University 88-74. The Royals (10-6, 6-5 MIAC) built up a 45-15 lead in the first 15 minutes of the game and coasted to the 14-point triumph over the Cardinals (2-14, 1-10 MIAC).
 
After St. Olaf defeated BU by nearly 30 points Monday night in Northfield, it was clear that Bethel wasn't going to let the same mistakes happen Wednesday. The Royals came out attacking in the first period, manufacturing nine steals and a 62.9 shooting percentage from the floor. Bethel penetrated the Cardinal's two-three zone, which led to numerous buckets on the interior of the paint and a 30-point margin at one point in the opening frame. The Royals got into prevent mode throughout the tail end of the second frame, allowing SMU to diminish the final tally to a 14-point differential.
 
Bethel finished the contest with 60 points in the paint—estimated to be a program record for points inside. Moreover, BU outscored Saint Mary's 23-14 in points off turnovers and aided from 27 bench points. The Royals finished the game 37-of-63 (58.7 percent) from the floor, while hitting 6-of-14 (42.9 percent) shot attempts from beyond the 3-point arc.
 
Buttenhoff's 30 points were a career high, as he was 14-of-18 from the floor and 2-of-3 from the charity stripe. The senior forward finished the competition with six rebounds, including four offensive. Also having a standout performance was Kyle von Schmidt-Pauli, who contributed 15 points, five rebounds, and five assists. "VSP" was 6-of-7 from the field. Christian Skinner came off the bench for 10 points and six rebounds.
 
The Royals will play host to Macalester College Saturday in the Robertson Center Gym in game two of the men's and women's double header against the Scots. The men will tipoff 30 minutes after the women's matchup, which will begin at 1 p.m.