Back Court Helps Bethel Cruise Past Concordia-St. Paul 87-69

The excitement behind the Bethel University men's basketball team continues to stay high, as the Royals (7-1) went on the road Friday night and defeated NCAA Division II member Concordia-St.Paul. BU made 11-of-26 3-pointers throughout the game, including 7-of-10 in the second half, en route to an 87-69 victory over the Golden Bears (4-7). Bethel's 87 points against CU marks the seventh time in eight games this season that the Royals have scored 83 or more points. BU took its first lead with 15:01 remaining in the opening half and never looked back. Trailing 3-6, Bethel went on an 20-5 run over a seven-minute span and led by as many as 11 in the first frame. But a 9-2 run for the Golden Bears in the final 3:34 cut the Royals' lead to four heading into the halftime intermission. Bethel never took its foot off the gas pedal, though. A 9-1 run at the 16-minute mark and the series of 5-0 runs later in the frame gave BU more than enough breathing room down the stretch. The Royals' finished the second half shooting 58.6 percent from the floor and 70.0 percent from downtown. BU, who recorded 13 steals throughout the game, forced Concordia-St. Paul into 18 turnovers. That resulted in a 29-13 advantage in points off of turnovers. Bridgeport Tulser led the Royals in steals and points with a game-high 22 points, six steals, and two assists in 28 minutes. Right behind Tusler offensively was Brycen Wojta, who tallied 21 points and two steals, while Trevor Hall continued to stuff the stat sheet with 16 points, eight rebounds, seven assists, and three steals. Derek Magnuson posted his first double-double of the season with 12 points and 10 rebounds. The Royals outrebounded the Golden Bears 35-29, which included a 13-8 margin in offensive boards. BU also finished 16-of-19 from the charity stripe.