ST. PAUL—First place in the MIAC standings was on the line Monday evening when the Bethel University men's basketball team faced the University of St. Thomas at Schoenecker Arena. Both teams were tied at 14-4 overall and 10-3 in league play, but it was the Tommies (15-4, 11-3 MIAC) that came away with the 78-58 victory over the Royals (14-5, 10-4 MIAC). As a result, UST has now given themselves a two-game cushion in the conference standings with a series sweep over BU (and Saint John's, who is currently in second place). 
 
St. Thomas managed to outrebound Bethel 38-27 throughout the game, which proved to be pivotal as the Tommies were not only able to get 12 more shot attempts than the Royals, but 12 more made baskets as well. Moreover, UST received a sizeable contribution from bench player Michael Hannon, who scored a game-high 23 points on 8-of-10 shooting—which included a 5-of-7 mark from downtown—after averaging 12.3 points coming into the game.
 
BU shot 41.2 percent for the game, including a 3-of-11 (27.3 percent) mark from outside the arc. As a result, Bethel was led by a trio of players, who each had 10 points—the lowest game-high this season.
 
Tim Hanson posted 10 points, four rebounds, and three assists, while Trevor Hall mustered 10 points, four rebounds, and two steals, and Bridgeport Tusler recorded 10 points, three rebounds, and three assists. Brycen Wojta and Granger Kingland each added eight points and three rebounds.
 
The Royals have six games remaining in the regular season, including four in the friendly confines of the Robertson Center Gym. BU's next opponent is Carleton, who has won six straight heading into Wednesday's 7 p.m. tilt.