WAUKESHA, Wis. — Bethel University's men's basketball team started the 2017-18 campaign on a high note with an 85-70 victory over Simpson College in Friday night's season opener. The Royals (1-0, 0-0 MIAC) opened the contest with a 35-29 lead over the Storm (0-1, 0-0 IIAC) and then outscored Simpson 50-41 in the final 20 minutes en route to the 15-point triumph.
BU trailed Simpson 15-9 at the 12:27 mark in the opening frame, but Bethel went on a 13-2 run over the ensuing four minutes and never looked back. The Storm narrowed the deficit to two with 3:53 remaining in the first half, but a 3-pointer by
Granger Kingland helped the Royals go into the midway mark with a six-point lead.
Bethel's lead dwindled to three with 12:10 left in the second half, but a 20-7 run over the next six minutes gave the Royals more than enough separation down the stretch.
BU shot just 38.7 percent from the floor throughout the game, including an 8-for-26 mark from outside the arc, but performed nicely at the charity stripe, making 14-of-18 free throw attempts. The Royals outrebounded the Storm 39-31 and recorded 18 assists, compared to Simpson's 11. But where Bethel really made hay was inside the paint, outscoring the Storm 52-26.
Six players scored eight or more points for the Royals and four finished in double figures. Sophomore
Granger Kingland led all scorers with 22 points on 9-of-15 shooting and seven rebounds in 35 minutes. His sophomore counterpart
Jack Jenson finished second on the team with 15 points on 6-of-11 shooting and four rebounds.
Derek Magnuson collected 12 points, eight rebounds, and three blocks, while newcomers Riley Dearring and Matt Ambriz composed 11 and nine points, respectively. Dearring was also credited with seven rebounds, two assists, and two steals.
Bridgeport Tusler added six points, six rebounds, and six assists in 33 minutes.
With Friday's win over Simpson, Bethel advances to the Carroll University Tournament championship game scheduled for 4 p.m. Saturday. The Royals will face the hosting Pioneers after they defeated Concordia-Wisconsin in Friday's night cap.
