La Crosse, Wis.—The Bethel University men's basketball team improved to 7-1 on the season with an explosive 84-62 win over UW-La Crosse Saturday night. The Royals, who are 4-1 in nonconference action and 3-0 against league foes, utilized a 42-18 advantage in the opening 15 minutes of the game to rattle the Eagles on the road.
 
Bethel's starting five were exceptional throughout the nonconference affair, as four of the five finished in double digits. Additionally, two—Kyle Zimmermann and Brycen Wojta—both finished with 22 points on a combined 18-of-27 shooting (66.7 percent).
 
Zimmermann's 22 inside were especially helpful in outscoring UW-La Crosse down low 54-22. BU's post player, who already had a double-double in the first half, finished the game with 15 rebounds and three steals in addition to his 22 points. Wojta, who tallied eight 20-plus performances in his rookie campaign, recorded his first 20-plus point effort of the 2014-15 season in Saturday's victory. The sophomore also added four assists and three steals in 28 minutes of play.
 
Trevor Hall and Bridgeport Tusler also finished the game with 14 and 12 points, respectively. As a team, the Royals shot 54.8 percent from the floor (34-of-62) and 33.3 percent (6-of-18) from long range. BU suffered just eight turnovers, while sniping eight steals and forcing 14 Eagle turnovers.
 
Bethel will now enjoy a two-week break before returning to the hardwood. On January 3, the Royals will begin the heart of their conference schedule with a home matinee against Saint John's University. BU and the Johnnies will tipoff at 3 p.m.