ARDEN HILLS, Minn.—Bethel University's men's basketball team got a much needed, lopsided 81-40 victory in the RC Gym Saturday afternoon. The Royals (15-6, 10-6 MIAC) defense was on display, holding the Cardinals (1-19, 0-15 MIAC) to just 18 first half points.

BU started the game on a 12-2 run and never looked back. Robbie Whitney hit a three with no time on the clock to give the Royals a 27-point lead going into half time, their largest lead of the game so far. Bethel continued to grow their lead in the second half. With 2:56 remaining, Noah Whalen hit a three to match the Royals largest lead of the game (44 points).

Bethel stuffed the stat sheet with 12 different players in the scoring column. Granger Kingland led the team with 16 points, five boards and three assists. Jack Jenson and Riley Dearring each put up 10 points of their own. Dearring also led the team in rebounds with eight. Tim Hanson came off the bench and scored nine points and pulled down five rebounds.



BU shot 51.7 percent on FG's and 43.5 percent from three while holding SMU to 27.6 percent overall. Bethel also held a 35-12 advantage in bench points and scored 22 points off the Cardinals 14 turnovers. Bethel also dominated down low, outscoring Saint Mary's 36-16 in the paint and outrebounding them 44-32.

The Royals look to take this momentum into their matchup against Hamline University on Wednesday, February 7 at 7 p.m. The Pipers are currently eighth in the MIAC and hold a 6-10 conference record.