SUPERIOR, Wis.—Bethel University's men's basketball team closed out the calendar year with an 84-71 victory over UW-Superior Saturday evening. The Royals (8-2, 3-2 MIAC) shot 59 percent from the floor and nearly perfect from the foul line, which led to the 13-point triumph over the Yellowjackets (3-10, 1-3 UMAC).
 
BU trailed UWS by four with 5:17 remaining in the opening frame, but a 14-0 run near the end of the half gave Bethel a seven-point cushion heading into the halftime intermission. The Royals heightened their margin to 13 with 15:02 left in the game and maintained a comfortable margin for the remainder of the contest.
 
Riley Dearring had his second-best game with BU, as the senior poured in 24 points off the bench on 9-of-13 shooting, including a 4-of-7 effort from long range. Dearring also added five rebounds and two steals. Jack Jenson delivered 18 points on 7-of-8 shooting, five boards, and two assists. Bridgeport Tusler composed 14 points, six rebounds, four assists, two steals, and two blocks, while Derek Magnuson and Matt Ambriz supplemented the team with 12 and 10 points, respectively, and four rebounds each.
 
Dearring's performance aided Bethel's start 26-11 advantage in points scored off the bench. Moreover, the Royals dominated UW-Superior in the paint, outscoring the Yellowjackets 54-26 around the world.
 
BU begins the new year with a conference clash against St. Olaf College in the Robertson Center on Wednesday, January 3. Tipoff between the Royals and Oles is scheduled for 7 p.m.