ARDEN HILLS, Minn.—The Bethel University's men's basketball team was a force to be reckoned with during their 2016-17 home opener against Martin Luther College Tuesday night, as the Royals (2-1, 0-0 MIAC) upended the Knights (1-3, 0-0 UMAC) by a final score of 95-46. BU opened the game with a 51-25 lead over MLC at the midway mark and cruised to a 95-46 victory.
 
The Royals, who shot 50.7 percent during the nonconference contest, were on fire throughout the entire night. BU jumped out to a 28-13 lead in the game's first 12 minutes and then finished the frame on a 21-7 run in the final five minutes. Bethel then opened the floodgates with a 25-5 run in the opening eight minutes of the second half, which allowed the Royals to see all 12 players that dressed contribute during the game.
 
Bethel toppled Martin Luther in most statistical categories, including a 30-2 margin in second-chance points, a 42-16 advantage in points in the paint, and a 23-9 differential in points off turnovers. The Royals outrebounded the Knights 50-28 and forced 16 turnovers, opposed to their eight.
 
Brycen Wojta led all players with 23 points on 8-of-12 shooting, including a 5-of-8 performance from outside the arc. Wojta also had seven assists and zero turnovers in 25 minutes played. Jack Jenson had a career-best with 16 points on 7-of-11 shooting, while Bridgeport Tusler and Derek Magnuson each finished with 14 points. Tusler added five boards, four steals, and two assists, while Magnuson composed eight rebounds—six offensive—and two assists.
 
The Royals now move to conference play, where they open the 2016-17 MIAC season with a road test at St. Olaf College on Tuesday, November 29. Tipoff between the Oles and Royals is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Bob Gelle Court in the Skoglund Center.