ST. PAUL — Bethel University's men's basketball team enjoyed three wins over conference opponents seeded in the top half of the MIAC standings last week, but that streak ended Wednesday evening when falling at the University of St. Thomas by a final score of 78-81. 
 
The Royals (11-4, 6-4 MIAC) outscored the Tommies (9-6, 7-3 MIAC) 42-36 in the opening half and led with under four minutes to play, but a 7-0 run for UST with 3:34 remaining in the game proved to be the difference when the final buzzer rang.
 
BU led 56-49 with 16:24 on the clock in the second half, but St. Thomas composed a 23-9 run over the next nine minutes resulting in a 72-65 advantage with 7:09 remaining in the game. The Royals answered; however, with their own 9-2 run that gave Bethel a one-point lead with 3:59 on the clock.  UST responded again, though, scoring on their next three possessions and holding off BU's desperation comeback attempt in the final two minutes.
 
The Royals shot 50.8 percent from the floor, 34.8 percent from long range, and 80.0 percent from the free throw line. Meanwhile, St. Thomas shot 48.4 percent from the floor, 33.3 percent from outside the arc, and 55.0 percent from the charity stripe. Bethel outrebounded the Tommies 38-35, but UST gathered 16 offensive boards, compared to BU's 12.
 
Matt Ambriz continues to lead Bethel in scoring as the reigning MIAC Men's Basketball Player of the Week finished with 19 points and three rebounds. Derek Magnuson went 9-of-11 for 18 points and seven boards, while Granger Kingland collected 13 points, six rebounds, two blocks, and two steals.
 
Riley Dearring continued his solid play off the bench with 11 points and six boards and Bridgeport Tusler recorded a stat-stuffing nine points, eight assists, four rebounds, and three steals. Jack Jenson rounded out BU's scoring with eight points, four rebounds, three assists, and two steals.
 
This week doesn't get any easier for Bethel as they travel to Northfield Saturday, January 20 for a road test at Carleton College. The Royals and Knights are scheduled to tipoff inside West Gym at 1 p.m.