NORTHFIELD, Minn.—What a comeback.
That's all Bethel University fans can say after witnessing the men's basketball team overcome a 24-40 deficit with 16:28 remaining in the second half against Carleton College Monday night. The Royals' (9-1, 5-0 MIAC) unforgettable win over the Knights (4-6, 1-4 MIAC) marked BU's ninth-straight victory.
Facing a 16-point spread, Bethel was able to flip the script almost immediately with a 20-4 run over the next eight minutes to knot the game at 44-44.
But Carleton didn't go away quietly. The Knights went up by as many as four and led by three with 11 seconds remaining in regulation until freshman
Granger Kingland hit a game-tying 3-pointer with time expiring that sent Monday's MIAC battle into overtime.
The Royals took a two-point advantage after nearly two minutes of overtime and never relinquished the lead. Play remained close, however, as BU led by just one with under a minute to go. Four clutch free throws by Kingland down the stretch gave Bethel enough breathing room to secure the seven-point victory.
Kingland was the star of Wednesday's tilt, as the diaper dandy went 7-of-10 from the floor, 6-of-8 from outside the 3-point arc, and 7-of-9 from the free throw line for 27 points. Kingland also secured five boards.
Kingland wasn't the only freshman on display.
Jack Jenson was right behind with 11 points and three rebounds.
Trevor Hall also scored in double figures, pouring in 10 points, while also recording three rebounds, two blocks, and two steals.
Brycen Wojta finished with eight points, five rebounds, and four assists—including the game-tying assist at the end of regulation—and
Bridgeport Tusler tallied eight points, eight boards, and three steals.
BU's biggest advantage throughout the contest was a 40-12 margin in bench points. Kevin Grow led the Knights with a career-best 30 points and 15 rebounds.
The Royals hope to continue their impressive win streak Wednesday, when they play host to defending national champion University of St. Thomas on Wednesday night at 7 p.m.
