ARDEN HILLS, Minn.—Bethel University's men's basketball team and its home fans celebrated an exciting night Wednesday, as the Royals defeated Concordia College at home 71-53 in the opening round of the 2015 MIAC Playoffs. BU's postseason victory settled the score, as the two teams split their series throughout the regular season.
 
The Royals manufactured an eight-point lead going into the half and didn't look back in the second, outscoring Concordia 40-30 in the final 20 minutes of play. Bethel initiated the second half with a 5-0 run and bumped their lead to 18 already with 9:52 remaining in the game.

BU's shooting was sensational throughout the entire game, but their defense may have been the key talking point. The Royals shot 49.2 percent from the floor and 40.0 percent from the perimeter, but Concordia was limited to 34 percent shooting and a 4-of-19 mark from outside the 3-point arc. Jordan Bolger and Brandon Giese led Concordia in the losing effort with 10 points each.
 
In likely his final game at the Robertson Center Gym, senior Kyle Zimmermann went out with a bang. Zim went 12-of-15 from the floor and finished with 26 points, 12 rebounds, five assists, and two blocks. Two others scored in double figures, including Brycen Wojta, who dropped 14, and Trevor Hall, who added 11. Together, Wojta and Hall also collaborated for nine rebounds and eight assists.
 
Coming into tonight's tilt with the Cobbs, Bethel had outscored its opponents 232-178 in its last six games and tonight was no different. The Royals routed Concordia underneath by a final tally of 42-26. Zimmermann and Kyle von_Schmidt-Pauli, who posted seven points and seven boards, also helped Bethel outscore the Cobbers 18-6 in second-chance points.


With the win, BU improves its home record on the season to 10-2. It's only losses were a two-point heart-breaker versus Saint John's and a nine-point loss to No. 2-ranked St. Thomas. Additionally, because SJU—the No. 3 seed in the playoffs—lost Wednesday evening to Gustavus, Bethel will play No. 2-seeded St. Olaf on Friday in Northfield at 7 p.m. The Royals defeated a Top 20-ranked Ole team twice this year, including a 95-89 victory in Northfield on January 24.