ARDEN HILLS, Minn.—The Bethel University men's basketball team tipped off their 2014-15 season splendidly Saturday night in the Robertson Center Gym, as the Royals utilized a 17-4 run in the final 5:47 of the game to take down the visiting Falcons of UW-River Falls 81-67.
 
The Falcons knotted the game at 63-63, but from there it was all Bethel. Kyle Zimmermann, who had already recorded three And-1 plays earlier in the half, started the momentum with a trip to the foul-line and from there Brycen Wojta, along with Kyle von Schmidt-Pauli, Derek Hamner, and several others, aided the Royals down the stretch.
 
Zimmermann had 19 second-half points, while Wojta added 10 and five assists. At the conclusion of the nonconference affair, Kyle Zimmermann led all scorers with 26 points and seven rebounds, while Bryce Wojta dropped in 16, dished out six dimes, and wrestled down three steals.
 
Adding to Bethel's bottom line was Kyle von Schmidt-Pauli, who dropped 10 in the first half, and finished the game with 14 points, eight rebounds, and three assists. Trevor Hall got the Robertson Center rocking with back-to-back 3-pointers in the second half and finished the contest in double figures with 11 points, alongside four steals.
 
Altogether, the Royals completed the 40-minute showcase with nine steals, opposed to the Falcons two. That helped Bethel outscore their opponents 20-5 in points off turnovers. UW-RF managed to shoot 54.9 percent from the floor, but BU forced the Falcons into 17 turnovers, while Bethel suffered just seven.

The Royals also capitalized on a 33-31 advantage in rebounds, including a 14-6 margin in offensive boards. Their dominance on the offensive glass led to a 19-7 tally in second chance points. Derek Hamner, who finished with four points, four assists, and seven boards, had three offensive rebounds.
 
Bethel finished the night shooting 46.9 percent from the floor, 42.9 percent from downtown, and 66.7 percent from the charity stripe. Zimmermann led the team in free throws, ending the game 6-of-10 from the stripe.
 
The Royals' season resumes Wednesday, when they travel to New Ulm, Minn., to face Martin Luther College for a 7 p.m. affair. Bethel will then play two more road tests, including a matchup at Northwestern on December 3, before returning home and opening up conference play against reigning MIAC champion, St. Olaf, on December 6.