LA CROSSE, Wis. – Sophomore guard
Payton Thomsen matched a career-high 31 points as the Bethel University men's basketball team dropped a 93-81 decision to Wisconsin-La Crosse on the road Saturday evening.
Bethel went 55.8 percent (29-of-52) from the field, including a 60 percent clip in the second half, while the Eagles finished 47.7 percent from the field. UWL did its most damage on the boards with a 39-27 advantage and a 13-4 hold on offensive boards, resulting in 15 second chance points.
After trailing to start the half,
Zach Doely gave BU its first lead at 18-16 with 10:34 to go in the opening half. On the Royals' next possession,
Gabe Siler cashed in from behind the arc giving BU what would be its largest lead of the night. The Eagles took the lead back for good with 7:12 in the first. A floating jumper late for Thomsen closed out a 15-point half for him while sending the Royals into the locker room down 46-37.
Down 63-49, BU scored nine strait including back-to-back threes by
Adam Mattes and Thomsen to pull within 63-58 with 11:24 left to force a UWL timeout. The Royals could get no closer as the Eagles widen the margin back to double digits.
UP NEXT
The Royals kickoff conference play on Tuesday, Nov. 21 traveling to Augsburg for a 7 p.m. tip.
