ST. PAUL—The Bethel University's men's basketball team endured a heart-breaking loss at the University of St. Thomas Saturday afternoon, as the Royals (9-2, 4-2 MIAC) suffered a 66-69 setback against the No. 4-ranked Tommies (10-1, 5-1 MIAC).

BU overcame a 14-point deficit with 15 minutes remaining in the game and took the lead with 4:40 left, but UST closed out the game with a 9-5 run to seal the victory. The three-point loss just so happened to be Bethel's second consecutive three-point loss to the Tommies—the first was in last year's MIAC Championship game.
 
UST took a 41-29 lead into the halftime intermission after shooting 54.3 percent from the floor. But the Royals outscored St. Thomas 37-28 in the final frame. Bethel finished the game shooting 45.2 percent from the field and 75 percent from the charity stripe. The Tommies, meanwhile, shot 50 percent from the floor and just 47.4 percent from the line.
 
Derek Magnuson led BU with 21 points and nine rebounds in 28 minutes played. The redshirt freshman was 8-of-14 shooting and 5-of-6 from the stripe. Trevor Hall scored 11 points, while Brycen Wojta recorded 10 points and two steals. Bridgeport Tusler added eight points, three boards, and three steals.
 
St. Thomas's Grant Shaeffer led all players with 23 points, six rebounds, and three assists in 33 minutes played.
 
Bethel's season continues Monday night at home against Saint Mary's University, where they put their 14-game winning streak in the Robertson Center on the line against the Cardinals. Tipoff between the Royals and SMU is scheduled for 7 p.m.