NORTHFIELD, Minn. — The Bethel University Men's basketball team opened up 2025 with a win, defeating St. Olaf on the road Saturday afternoon 66-60. The Royals improved to 3-0 in conference play behind an 18-point performance by
Payton Thomsen and a 16-point day from
Adam Mattes.
With the game tied at 56 with seven minutes to play,
Payton Thomsen worked his way into the paint for a layup, kickstarting a 10-4 Bethel run to close out the game.
Down 5-2 early a steal by Mattes turned into a fast break layup by
Emmanuel Schmitter, followed by Mattes grabbing a rebound and feeding Thomsen for another fast break opportunity to give the Royals a 6-5 lead.
Midway through the first half
Nick Burke nailed one from beyond the arc to extend the Royals lead to 13-9. With the game tied at 15,
Payton Thomsen drained a 3-pointer of his own to give the Royals a 18-15 lead with five and a half minutes to play in the first half.
Nick Burke hit from three once more this time to extend the Bethel lead to 11, and help the Royals take a 35-28 lead into halftime.
Holding a one point lead early in the second half, Payton Thomen drove the lane getting the bucket and drawing the foul and promptly sinking the free throw attempt to give the Royals a 44-40 lead.
AJ Kaul hit from three to extend the Bethel lead to nine midway through the second half. The Oles responded with a 9-2 run to tie the game at 54 with seven minutes to play.
Caden Boettcher came up with a defensive board and
Payton Thomsen finished at the other end driving the lane to reclaim the Royals lead 56-54.
With two minutes to play
Adam Mattes drove the lane for a layup and a six point lead as the Royals closed out a 66-60 win over the Oles.
Up next:
The Royals hit the road once again for a matchup with nationally-ranked St. John's University Wednesday night Jan. 8 in Collegeville. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.
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