ARDEN HILLS, Minn. — The Bethel University men's basketball team earned its first conference win on Tuesday night narrowly defeating Concordia 60-57 to improve to 5-2 on the year and 1-0 in MIAC play.
Payton Thomsen led the way for the Royals with 16 points and nine rebounds, including a big three pointer late to give Bethel a five point advantage.
The Royals were hot from beyond-the-arc early, using a three from
Adam Mattes to get them on the board early. Followed by a pair of threes from Peyton Thomsen to open up a 9-4 lead.
Later in the first half a
Nick Burke rebound led to a Peyton Thomsen jump shot to make it a 15-11 game. Concordia answered taking a 16-15 lead, when
Caden Boettcher nailed one from three to regain the Bethel lead 18-16. However at the break the Royals found themselves behind 32-25.
Caden Boettcher got the Royals started in the first half with a steal, driving the lane and drawing a foul. Nailing both free throw attempts, cutting the deficit to five.
With 12 minutes to go
Adam Mattes grabbed a rebound and fed it to
Nick Burke who hit from three and made it a 39-37 game.
Later in the second half
Adam Mattes drove the lane, got the layup to go and tied it up at 51. From there
Nick Burke grabbed his own rebound and laid it in, giving the Royals their first lead of the half 53-51.
Peyton Thomsen opened up a five point Bethel lead by draining a three pointer from deep to make it 56-51. With the Royals going on to win 60-57.
Now the Royals hit the road for a matchup with Hamline University on Saturday Dec. 7. Tip off is set for 1 p.m.
