MOORHEAD, Minn. – Clinging to a three-point lead with seven seconds left, the Royals got a big defensive stop before Sam Zilmer knocked down a pair of free throws holding off Concordia comeback efforts for an 81-76 win.
 
In a tale of two halves, Bethel (7-12, 5-9 MIAC) had its best shooting performance of the year at 59.3 percent, that mark thanks to 63.3 percent clip in the first half. Concordia (6-13, 4-10 MIAC) out rebounded BU 31-23 and held a 44-40 edge on points in the paint.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Half
• After four ties in the early stages, Concordia built a seven-point lead five minutes in.
• Payton Thomsen reeled Bethel back in front dropping 14 points in the first half knocking down all four 3-point attempts. The Royals knocked down its nine treys of the game in the first 20 minutes.
• It was all Solomon Whalen the final 1:13 of the half. Back-to-back threes followed by a steal and layup just before the horn gave the Royals a 48-42 advantage at the break.
 
Second Half
•  The Royals lead was as large as 18 with 12:48 to go that thanks to a 20-8 run to start the half. In that stretch Zach Doely and Joey Kidder combined for 18 of those.
• Concordia's comeback efforts came with a 14-2 run over a four-minute stretch that dwindled BU's lead to 70-67.
•  The Cobbers got it to a one-possession game on six separate occasions in the final five minutes.
• Zilmer with seven seconds left hit one of two free throws making it 79-76.
• The Cobbers quick layup attempt was blocked out of bound by Zilmer. Out of a timeout with few seconds left the game-tying three-point attempt was no good, forcing Concordia to foul one more time. 
 
KEY PERFORMERS
• Joey Kidder led with a team-high 19 points, 16 of which came in the second half, and six rebounds.
• Zach Doely and Payton Thomsen each chipped in 16 points. Doely added seven boards.
 
UP NEXT
The Royals end he three-game road trip and return to the Robertson Center Monday, Jan. 30 hosting Augsburg at 7 p.m.

  Read Full Article