Zimmermann Receives First MIAC Men's Basketball Athlete of the Week Award

The Bethel men's basketball team got off to a great start with a quality nonconference win over UW-River Falls in the season opener Saturday. Senior forward Kyle Zimmermann (Champlin, Minn./Champlin Park) starred in the 81-67 Royals' victory, as he topped the 20-point mark and nearly had a double-double while shooting better than 60 percent from the floor. For his performance, the MIAC sports information directors honored ZimmermannMonday with the first MIAC Men's Basketball Athlete-of-the-Week award of the 2014-15 season.

Zimmermann was red-hot in his season debut, as the Royals' star shot 10-for-16 from the floor en route to 26 points in the win. He also added seven rebounds - four on the offensive end - and had an assist and a steal in the win over the Falcons, who had taken D-II Augustana to overtime just one week prior. Zimmermann helped Bethel hold a 14-6 edge on the offensive glass, and a 19-7 advantage in second-chance points. Zimmermann is the MIAC's early leader in points per game (26.0) and tied for fourth in rebounds per game (7.0).

Thanks to the win, Bethel started the season 1-0, and was one of eight MIAC teams to collect win over the season's opening weekend. The Royals' nonconference schedule will continue this week as the team heads to Martin Luther Wednesday for a 7 p.m. start. Zimmermann and company will also hit the road on Tuesday, Nov. 25, for a 7:30 p.m. game at Buena Vista.