ARDEN HILLS, Minn. — Bethel University men's basketball team suffered an 80-84 overtime loss Saturday afternoon in the Robertson Center Gym to No. 6-ranked Saint Johns University. This rematch of last year's MIAC championship game generated just as much excitement as last year's playoff finale, but not the same outcome. The Royals (14-5, 9-5 MIAC) led by 11 with 3:11 remaining in regulation, but were unable to hold off a late game run by the Johnnies (16-1, 12-0 MIAC) that forced OT and the eventual defeat.
 
It was a back and forth battle all afternoon between these conference rivals. In the first half neither team could pull away until the 11:50 mark when Granger Kingland entered the game and knocked down two big three pointers giving the Royals a quick 6-0 run and their largest lead of the half. The Royals started the second half on a 7-0 run giving them a 10-point cushion. But the 3:11 mark in the second half came and Bethel saw the Johnnies close out regulation on an 11-0 run to send the game to overtime. Then, with the game tied at 80, SJU's David Stokman drove down the lane and hit a floater with three seconds remaining that sealed the game for the Johnnies.


 
Kingland led the way for the Royals with 23 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and two steals. The sophomore guard went 7-of-11 from deep and 8-15 overall. Riley Dearring added 20 points including four triples. Matt Ambriz and Jack Jenson each had solid outings, putting up 14 and 12 points, respectively. Ambriz also added six boards.
 
The Royals shot 56.7 percent from three and 44.1 percent from the field but were only able to get to the free throw line five times all game. Despite BU's hot three-point shooting, the Johnnies held an advantage in nearly every other scoring category including points off turnovers (12-8), second chance points (19-13), bench points (26-7), and points in the paint (40-24).
 
Bethel looks to bounce back Wednesday, January 31, when they travel to Northfield to faceoff against St. Olaf College. The Oles currently ride a four-game win streak and sit second in the MIAC standings.