ST. PAUL—Bethel University's men's basketball team picked up a huge 73-63 road win Monday evening over Hamline University. The Royals (9-3, 4-3 MIAC) out-rebounded the Pipers (6-7, 2-6 MIAC) 39-28, including a 13-3 difference in in offensive boards, which led to the eventual 10-point triumph.
 
BU and Hamline were knotted at 14-14 with 11:03 remaining in the opening frame, but a 12-2 run over the next two minutes gave the Royals a 10-point spread. Bethel later stretched their lead to 16 going into the halftime break, which paved the way to a road win over the Pipers, who defeated No. 5 Williams earlier in the season.
 
Bridgeport Tusler finished with a game-high 15 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and three steals, while Matt Ambriz, Granger Kingland, and Riley Dearring each added 12 points. Kingland collected six boards and three assists, while Ambriz tallied three rebounds and Dearring two. Jack Jenson also finished in double figures with 11 points and seven boards.
 
Not only did the Royals out-rebound the Pipers, but they also outscored Hamline in points off turnovers (16-8), bench points (19-10), points in the paint (28-22), and second chance points (7-0).
 
Bethel's 2017-18 campaign continues Wednesday, Jan. 10, when they take on Augsburg University in their second straight road affair. Tipoff between the Auggies and Royals is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Si Melby Hall in Minneapolis.