ARDEN HILLS, Minn. — After tying the game at 44 on a
Blake Schmitz three early in the second half, the Bethel University men's basketball team was unable to take the lead as the Gustavus Adolphus Gusties outscored the Royals 60-36 in the second half to win 104-75.
Gustavus knocked down a season-high 17 threes while BU knocked down and shot 52.4 percent from distance.
Nick Burke went 6-for-13 from the field, putting up 22 points as the Royals' leading scorer.
Caden Boettcher went 5-for-9 from the field with 11 points and
Blake Schmitz contributed 10 points.
Nick Burke hit from three to open the game, giving the Royals a 3-2 lead. Bethel extended its lead to 7-2 on a feed from
Adam Mattes to
Caden Boettcher in the lane for a layup to extend the lead to five.
Gustavus used a 10-2 run to open up a 27-19 lead.
JT Schradle hit from beyond the arc to bring the Royals back within five.
Caden Boetttcher came away with a steal and
AJ Kaul finished at the other end with a three to make it a 34-31 game late in the first half.
With seconds to go in the half Burke went up for a three-point attempt, drew the foul and knocked down all three attempts from the charity stripe, sending BU into the break trailing. 44-39.
Blake Schmitz tied the game at 44 early in the second half on a corner three. Later
Adam Mattes drove the lane, finishing at the rim for a layup to make it 59-51 with 13:49 to go.
A 16-2 run opened up a 69-51 Gusties' lead as they stayed hot from three in the second half where they connected on 10 triples.
Up next:
The Royals head to Moorhead looking to end their six-game losing streak Wednesday, Feb. 12, when they take on the Concordia. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.
