Box Score

ARDEN HILLS, Minn.—Bethel University's men's basketball celebrated senior day Saturday, however, that was all they were unable to celebrate a victory against St. Olaf College—falling in the end 40-62. Despite the loss, the Royals (13-12, 9-11 MIAC) secured its 13th trip to the postseason in the last 15 years with its 9-11 record in league play.
 
BU will draw a road test at No. 3-seeded Augsburg College on Wednesday night in Si Melby Hall at 7:30 p.m. St. Thomas won its ninth consecutive league title, while the second and third seeds fell to the Oles (20-5, 17-3 MIAC) and Auggies (18-7, 14-6 MIAC). Saint John's upset over UST Saturday helped them secure the No. 4 seed and Gustavus fell to the No. 5 seed.
 
The Royals led early in the game, thanks in part to a deep 3-pointer by Tyler Schmidt and a couple buckets underneath. But the Oles took the lead with 14:56 and kept their foot on the gas pedal the rest of the game. St. Olaf built a seven-point margin at the intermission break and increased their lead to as much as 26 with 3:11 left in the contest.
 
Bethel shot just 31.9 percent from the floor and 25.0 percent from long range, while hitting just 5-of-13 from the foul line. The Royals started the game 0-of-7 from the free throw stripe.
 
Luke Buttenhoff led BU with 11 points and seven rebounds, but after that it was Schmidt and Brycen Wojta with six points each. Jackson Canfield finished with five rebounds and Aden Casey snagged two steals.
 
The Oles outrebounded Bethel 40-29 and second-chance points resulted in a 12-0 margin in favor of St. Olaf.
 
The Royals will need to shake the loss, as well as their two previous defeats against Augsburg, as they travel to Minneapolis Wednesday night to take on the Auggies in the opening round of the 2014 MIAC Playoffs. Bethel had the lead with four minutes left at Augsburg just over a week ago, but was unable to hold on for the win. Tipoff Wednesday evening is scheduled to being at 7:30 p.m.