COLLEGEVILLE, Minn.—Despite overcoming a 24-5 deficit to start the game and taking a one-point lead midway through the second half, the Bethel University men's basketball fell to Saint John's University in Sexton Arena by a final score of 87-81. The Royals (11-3, 7-2 MIAC) outscored the Johnnies (11-3, 7-2 MIAC) 62-42 from 13:27 left in the opening frame to 9:17 remaining in the closing half, but SJU got the final word with a 21-14 advantage in the final minutes of Monday's highly-anticipated matchup.
 
BU dominated their adversary in points scored in the paint (46-28) as well as points scored off of turnovers (25-14). Derek Magnuson was a large reason behind Bethel's success in the paint, as the sophomore poured in 27 points on 11-of-15 shooting. He also grabbed seven rebounds in 31 minutes played. Moreover, the Royals forced Saint John's into 16 turnovers, opposed to their nine throughout the game.
 
The Johnnies outrebounded Bethel 37-26, however, and finished the game 7-of-13 (53.8 percent) from long range, opposed to BU's 6-of-18 (33.3 percent).
 
In addition to Magnuson's performance, three others scored in double figures, including Trevor Hall, Granger Kingland, and Bridgeport Tusler. Hall finished with 16 points, three rebounds, and one steal, which ended his 14-game streak of at least two steals.  Kingland added 15 points, three boards, and two assists, and Tusler composed 11 points, three rebounds, and two assists.
 
Tyler Weiss led Saint John's with 25 points and 10 rebounds, while Patrick Strom—who averaged 11.2 points coming into Monday's MIAC battle—finished with 20 points on 5-of-7 shooting from downtown.
 
The Royals resume play Wednesday evening in Moorhead, Minn., where they take on Concordia College at 7:45 p.m. The Cobbers, who fell to Macalester tonight, handed Saint John's one of their two conference losses earlier this season.