ARDEN HILLS, Minn.—Fans in attendance of Saturday's matinee between Macalester College and Bethel University were treated to a Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference classic, as the two teams went toe-to-toe until the very end. The Royals (14-4, 10-3 MIAC) outlasted the Scots (6-12, 2-11), who have been hot as of late, by a final score of 85-79, which helped BU keep pace atop the MIAC standings with the University of St. Thomas.
 
Macalester shot 50.8 percent from the floor and 41.7 percent from downtown, opposed to the Royals, who finished just 49.2 percent from the floor and 23.8 percent from outside the arc. But Bethel forced the Scots into 19 turnovers, which led to a 27-15 advantage in points scored off of turnovers. BU also outscored Mac 50-30 in the paint and 17-10 in bench points.
 
 
The two teams were tied at 69-69 with 3:34 remaining, but a 12-0 run for the Royals that was sparked by a 3-pointer by Granger Kingland gave Bethel enough separation to closeout the game with a six-point victory.
 
Five players scored in double figures for the Royals, including Brycen Wojta, who had a game-high 22 points on 7-of-13 shooting and 7-of-8 from the free throw line to go along with his three steals.
 
Right behind Wojta was his fellow backcourt cronies Trevor Hall and Bridgeport Tusler. Hall recorded 16 points, nine rebounds, four assists, three steals, and two blocks. Meanwhile, Tusler also tallied 16 points as well as five assists and four rebounds.
 
Granger Kingland gave the Royals 13 points, five rebounds, and two steals off the bench, while Derek Magnuson contributed 10 points, two boards, and two steals. In total Bethel stripped 14 steals, which is the third-most this season.
 
Now 14-4 on the season and 10-3 in conference play, Bethel takes its talents to St. Paul Monday night for a showdown with the University of St. Thomas. The Royals' biggest game of the year will feature the two teams tied for first place, although UST has the tiebreaker with an 83-74 win over BU on January 4. Tipoff between the Royals and Tommies is scheduled for 7 p.m.