ARDEN HILLS, Minn. – Bethel University men's basketball entered the New Year with three straight wins, two of which were against conference opponents, but 2019's opener wasn't as kind. The Royals (6-5, 3-3 MIAC) dropped a heartbreaker at home to St. Olaf College Wednesday evening by a final score of 63-54.

Senior center Derek Magnuson led the Royals with 17 points and 14 rebounds while senior guard Matt Ambriz tallied 10 points. Jack Jenson added seven points along with three assists.

The Royals led the Oles (6-4, 5-0 MIAC) at the break 30-25 thanks to hot shooting from the field where they went 12-for-25 (48 percent) in the first half. But the tale of two halves got the best of the Royals.

Strong offense opened up the second half as Bethel grabbed its largest lead of the game at 38-25 with a layup from Jensen at the 17:02 mark.

St. Olaf chipped away at the Bethel lead eventually tying it at 45 apiece with 7:31 remaining before the teams traded buckets over the next three minutes of play.

The Oles took the lead for good with 3:38 as the Royals went cold from the field along with not being able to connect on a 3-pointer in the second half.

The Royals look to bounce back as they close out a four-game homestand on Monday, Jan. 7 against Saint Mary's College. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.