ARDEN HILLS, Minn.—Bethel University's basketball team picked up a huge conference win over the University of St. Thomas Wednesday evening by a final score of 73-58, thanks in large part to a career performance from sophomore guard Granger Kingland.
 
Not only did Kingland's memorable night of 27 points and 16 rebounds give the Royals (5-2, 1-2 MIAC) their first MIAC win of the season, but also BU's first home victory over the Tommies (3-3, 1-2 MIAC) since February 21, 2004.
 
Play between the two opponents was even throughout the first 10 minutes of the game. UST led Bethel 15-14 with 9:20 remaining in the opening half, but the Royals closed the frame on a 13-4 run. BU stretched their lead to 16 with 15:33 still to play in the game, but the Tommies closed the gap to six over the next five minutes.


 
Cue Granger Kingland. Kingland scored 15 points on 5-of-6 shooting and grabbed six rebounds in the final 9:14, which helped the Royals go from a six-point lead with 10:03 remaining to a 16-point lead with 4:10 on the clock. Kingland, who recorded 27 points, 16 rebounds, three blocks, and two assists, finished the mid-week tilt shooting 9-of-15 from the floor, 6-of-7 from outside the arc, and 3-of-4 from the charity stripe.
 
Matt Ambriz continued his quality start to the season with 11 points, while Derek Magnuson and Jack Jenson each posted nine points. Magnuson added five boards to his stat line, while Jenson finished with three steals and two rebounds. Bridgeport Tusler stuffed the stat sheet with six points, four rebounds, five assists, and three steals in 36 minutes, while Tim Hanson manufactured four points, eight boards, and two assists.
 
As a unit, Bethel shot 42.1 percent from the floor, 42.9 percent from long range, and 76.2 percent from the free throw line. Meanwhile, St. Thomas was held to 34.5 percent shooting, which includes a 5-of-21 (23.8 percent) mark from 3-point land. Where the Royals dominated was in points off turnovers—outscoring UST 20-2 in that category.
 
BU is now on the road until Wednesday, January 3, when they face St. Olaf at 7 p.m. Prior to that contest, the Royals face Saint Mary's in Winona on Saturday, December 9 at 1 p.m., Concordia in Moorhead on Saturday, December 16 at 3 p.m., and UW-Superior on Saturday, December 30 at 7 p.m.