ARDEN HILLS, Minn. — Payton Thomsen became the 33rd member of the Bethel University men's basketball 1,ooo point club with a driving layup midway through the second half. In total Thomsen scored 18 points, going 7-for-15 from the field as the Royals took down Martin Luther College by a decisive 108-75 margin to improve to 8-2 on the year, extending their winning streak to five games.
 
The Royals fell behind 6-2 early, before tying the game at nine with an Adam Mattes offensive board and layup. Later in the half AJ Kaul nailed a three pointer to take a 15-12 lead. Payton Thomsen drained a three ball of his own to extend the Bethel lead to 20-12.
 
Caden Boettcher turned a steal into a fastbreak layup, grabbing the loose ball and dishing it to Blake Schmitz for the layup and a 31-18 lead. Caden Boettcher came up with the assist again, this time feeding Emmanuel Schmitter for a corner three and a 11-point lead.
 
Payton Thomsen closed the half with a three from the top of the arc to take a 50-36 advantage into the break.
 
Adam Mattes opened the second half by driving the lane and finishing the layup. Payton Thomsen grabbed his own rebound and tipped it in for a layup and a 56-41 lead.
 
Payton Thomsen drove the lane once more, for his 16th point of the night and his 1,000th career point putting Bethel up 66-48.
 
Emmanuel Schmitter nailed another from beyond-the-arc to give the Royals a 23-point lead midway through the half. Nick Burke hit from three as well, to give the Royals 90-63 lead, finishing the night with a team leading 21 points.
 
Colter Stone drove the lane and slammed one home to get the Royals to the century mark, 100-74. Owen Brodeur capped the night with a three ball to give Bethel a 108-74 lead, going on to win 108-75.
 
When it was all said and done the Royals went 38-for-66 from the field, including 57% from three. With Nick Burke and Adam Mattes both dropping 21 points in the win.
 
Up next:
The Royals now take a two week break for Christmas before returning to action Saturday Dec.28 against Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois. Tip off is scheduled for 3 p.m.
 
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