ARDEN HILLS, Minn.—The Robertson Center has been home to some thrilling contests during it's lifetime and tonight's MIAC quarterfinal between No. 3 Bethel University and No. 6 Carleton College provided another classic for the home crowd.
 
The Royals (20-6, 14-6 MIAC) trailed the Knights (14-12, 12-8 MIAC) 46-57 with 10:07 remaining in the game, but BU slowly chipped away at the deficit and evened the score at 66-66 with 1:20 left on the clock.  BU then forced a Carleton turnover, which allowed Granger Kingland to penetrate the lane and score a go-ahead layup with 34 ticks remaining. The Knights missed a 3-pointer and fouled Riley Dearring, who cashed in on two decisive free throws that iced the game with 12 seconds left. Kingland went on to closeout the postseason triumph with a free throw, giving Bethel a 71-66 victory.
 
BU's win was sparked by a 25-10 run in the final 10:07 and an 11-0 run in the closing 2:41. A significant reason behind that second-half spurt was Matt Ambriz, who finished the game 7-of-8 from outside the arc for a team-high 21 points. Ambriz was 3-of-3 in the final 20 minutes, including a huge triple with 1:44 on the clock.


 
Another factor was Granger Kingland, who went 8-of-13 from the floor and 2-of-4 from deep for 19 points, three rebounds, and three assists in 38 minutes. Bridgeport Tusler muscled his way to his first double-double of the season with an inspiring 11 points and 11 boards, while Derek Manguson added seven points, five rebounds, and two assists.
 
Wednesday's win marked the third time this season BU has come back to defeat Carleton from an eight-point deficit or greater with 10 minutes remaining in the game.
 
Bethel finished the midweek affair shooting 53.1 percent from the floor, 56.3 percent from downtown, and 66.7 percent from the charity stripe, while the Knights shot 39.6 percent from the floor, 25.0 percent from 3-point land, and 86.4 percent from the foul line—a shot they came in averaging 64.3 percent on the season. Carleton's Kevin Grow recorded his 1,000th career rebound during his 15-point, 13-rebound performance.
 
The Royals will now travel to Northfield, Minn., on Friday, Feb. 23, for a clash with St. Olaf in the MIAC semifinals. Tipoff between BU and the Oles is scheduled for 7 p.m. in the Skoglund Center.