ARDEN HILLS, Minn. — Five Royals tallied double digits points in a high scoring 95-93 victory over the Macalester Scots Saturday afternoon in the Robertson Center Gym.
Payton Thomsen led the way scoring 25 points shooting 9-for-15 from the field.
Nick Burke dropped 22 points in the win going 7-for-11 from the field and 3-for-6 from three.
As a team the Royals finished the day shooting a season-best 60.3 percent from the field, and 14-for-26 (53.8 percent) from three to improve to 4-1 in MIAC play.
Payton Thomsen drove the lane for a fastbreak layup early in the first half to tie the game at four. Adam Matted gave the Royals a 10-8 lead by nailing a corner three four minutes into the first half.
An Emmunel Schmitter three followed by a
Blake Schmitz fastbreak layup extended the Bethel lead to five at the 12:37 second mark.
Nick Burke nailed one from beyond the arc with eight minutes to go in the first half to make it a 33-25 Bethel lead.
Tied at 41 late in the first half,
JT Schradle came away with a steal with Emmanuel Schittmer driving the lane and finishing for a fastbreak layup and a 43-41 lead. The Royals took a 49-43 lead into the half.
Nick Burke grabbed a board and dished it off to
Caden Boettcher who finished at the other end to give the Royals a 54-45 lead.
Adam Mattes knocked down another from three to give the Royals a 59-54 lead.
Caden Boettcher hit from three to open up a nine point Bethel advantage with 12 and a half minutes to play.
The Scots knotted things up at 70, when
Payton Thomsen knocked down a jumper from the paint to retake the lead 72-70. A Thomsen steal turned into another fastbreak opportunity for the Royals with
Adam Mattes finishing at the other end to take an eight point lead.
Nick Burke drove the lane drawing a foul and knocking down both attempts form the charity stripe to give the Royals their largest lead of the day 90-78.
The Scots pulled to within two with less than a minute to play, but the Royals defense held on to win 95-93.
Up next:
The Royals remain at home for another MIAC matchup against Carleton College Wednesday night Jan. 15 in the Robertson Center Gym. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
