ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Bethel University men's basketball could not hold off (RV) St. Thomas in the second half as the Tommies closed out the game on a 22-10 run to defeat the Royals 68-65 Wednesday evening at Schoenecker Arena.

Taking a 33-22 lead into the half, the host Tommies found the right touch in the second half as the Royals fall to 3-4 overall and 1-2 in MIAC play.

Junior Jack Jenson led the way with 22 points while senior Derek Magnuson tallied his fourth double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Matt Ambriz added 11 points respectively with Hudson Urbanus scoring seven off the bench.

Back-to-back threes by Kingland and Ambriz but Bethel up at 13-6 five minutes into the contest. Jenson was determined to get to the free throw line in the first half where he knocked down a pair at the 4:34 mark giving Bethel their largest lead of the half at 29-17. Jenson would knock down seven of Bethel's first half free throws where they were a perfect 9-for-9.

The 3-ball continued to fly early in the second for Bethel as Tyler Barker and Amrbiz knocked down two of the Royals' three second half 3-pointers. Free throws by Jenson once again opened things up as Bethel led 41-26 at the 16:29 mark before the offense stalled down the stretch. Bethel would not score a field goal in the final five minutes of play.

With just seven turnovers, St. Thomas made their run behind the hot shooting of Anders Nelson who scored all 18 of his points in the second half. The Tommies took back the lead at 63-62 with 3:13 remaining on a jumper by Nelson.

Nelson sank both ends of a 1-and-1 opportunity extending the Tommie lead to 68-65. Ambriz threw up one last opportunity from long distance to tie the game, but to no avail.