ARDEN HILLS, Minn.—Bethel University's men's basketball team had already locked in the No. 4 seed heading into Saturday's matinee against Carleton College, but the Royals put an exclamation mark on their season with a 64-60 victory over the Knights.
 
It wouldn't be a game against Carleton if it the end result wasn't within five points, as the last eight games have been decided by a total of 31 points (one game was decided by 12 points, but altogether it averages out to be 3.9 points difference per game).
 
The Royals tried to run away with it in the first half, as they went on a 20-4 run over an eight-minute stretch to claim a 27-10 lead with 7:37 left in the opening half. But despite possessing a 16-point point margin at the intermission break, Carleton held Bethel to one point in the first eight minutes of the second half and trimmed BU's lead to seven in that time frame. The seven-point spread dropped to four with 1:35 left, but the Royals were able to play exceptional defense in the final 90 seconds to preserve the victory.
 
Carleton really benefitted from second-chance points, as they outscored BU 19-6. However, the Royals got great production off the bench and in the paint as they tallied a total of 18 more points than the Knights in those two categories combined.
 
Bethel shot 52 percent from the floor and 44 percent from downtown. Three different players scored in double figures, including Kyle Zimmermann, who managed to record his 10th double-double of the season.
 
Zimmermann finished with 15 points, 13 rebounds, and five blocks in the victory, while Brycen Wojta and Bridgeport Tusler each scored 11. Tusler also added six boards and five assists to his stat sheet. Tim Hanson also played perhaps his strongest game off the bench with four points and five rebounds in 20 minutes of play.
 
Carleton freshman Kevin Grow led the Knights with 20 points and 16 rebounds, while senior Shane McSparron poured in 17.
 
Now 17-8 overall and 13-7 in loop play, Bethel returns to the MIAC Playoffs for the 14th time in the last 16 years. As the No. 4 seed they will host Concordia College at home on Wednesday, February 25 at 7 p.m.—their first home playoff game since the 2008-09 season.

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