ARDEN HILLS, Minn. – The MIAC opener for the Bethel University men's basketball came down to a tale of two halves with Gustavus Adolphus College. Bethel came out strong offensively leading 38-33 at the break before the Gusties found a rhythm on offense in the second half handing the Royals their first loss of the season, 71-67.
 
Sophomore Zach Doely had another career day with 22 points, 15 which came in the first half. He completed his second straight double-double with 12 boards. Jaren Tschetter poured in 13 points hitting three shots beyond the arc. Sam Nelson led the team with three steals and four assists.
 
Bethel wasn't relying on the three-ball, but they were hitting it none the less going 5-for-10 in the first 20 minutes. Gustavus erased Bethel's early lead eventually making the Royals deficit a mere five points. Dom Aguilar hit one of his two threes giving BU the advantage for the remaining 2:51.
 
Holding the Gusties to 36.7 percent from the floor and 15.4 percent from 3-point range, the Royals took a nice five point lead into the break.
 
The Royals lead by as many as seven in the second half before the Gusties got hot from the floor. GAC shot 58.3 percent in the second leading by as many as nine and forcing the Royals into 15 second-half turnovers. BU didn't go down without a fight giving them a shot at forcing overtime.
 
Trailing by five, Zach Doley knocked down his first three of the year with five seconds remaining cutting it to 69-67 before GAC sealed the victory on the other end with a pair of free throws.
 
Bethel, now 2-1 on the year, hits the road traveling to Augsburg Tuesday for a 7 p.m. tipoff.