ARDEN HILLS, Minn. – A career-high 32 points to go along with 13 rebounds gave junior forward
Zach Doely his fourth double-double of the season. Despite four other players joining Doely in double figures, the Bethel University men's basketball team dropped a MIAC matchup to a hot-shooting Gustavus Adolphus squad, 97-88.
The Gusties (5-7, 5-2 MIAC) were 58.7 percent from the floor (37-of-63) while knocking down 10 of their 20 three-point attempts. Bethel (3-9, 1-6 MIAC) shot 51.7 percent from the floor and were a quiet 7-of-21 behind the arc.
Bethel pulled within 78-76 with 4:19 left as Doely hit a pair of free throws and his 32-point mark. A 10-3 run for the Gusties from that point created a margin too big to overcome for the Royals.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Half
• There were four ties and five lead changes through the opening six and a half minutes of play until a four-minute scoring drought by Bethel put Gustavus in front 20-13.
• A then 6-0 run by the Royals got them back within one as Doely hit double figures with a layup at the 7:54 mark.
• The Gusties stayed hot from the field shooting 63.6 percent (21-of-33) which sent BU into the locker room down 50-40.
Second Half
• The Royals came out with intensity and nearly erased a double-digit deficit as
Tommy Jensen knocked down a trey making it 59-58 with 14:23 left.
• A three-minute cold stretch by the Royals moved it back to a two-possession game.
• An alley-oop slam by Doely on a nice feed from Kidder with 10:04 left made it a career night for the big man.
• Although it was a quiet 10-turnovers night, the second lowest this year, for the Royals, bad passes and empty possessions down the stretch allowed the Gusties to pull away.
KEY PERFORMERS
• Doely's career night came on 14-of-18 shooting and 4-of-5 from the line.
•
Payton Thomsen contributed 17 points and three assists.
•
Joey Kidder finished with 15 points and six assists while
Tommy Jensen added 11 points and
Avery Mast 10.
UP NEXT
The Royals look to bounce back Saturday, Jan. 7 hosting St. Olaf for alumni day. Tipoff is at 1 p.m. For men's basketball alumni day information
click here.
