Royals Clinch Share of First-Ever Regular Season MIAC Championship

The Bethel University men's basketball team clinched a share of the regular-season MIAC Championship for the first time in program history with an 81-68 victory over Concordia College Wednesday evening. The Royals (19-6, 15-5 MIAC), who celebrated seniors Trevor Hall and Brycen Wojta prior to the contest, outrebounded the Cobbers (12-12, 9-10 MIAC) 38-26, which led to a 14-2 differential in second-chance points and the eventual 13-point win. Not only did BU celebrate its first-ever regular season title and their seniors, but Trevor Hall scored his 1,000th career point in the opening minutes of tonight's matchup. Hall, who had 998 points entering the contest, finished the evening with 16 points, eight rebounds, and four assists in 37 minutes of play.

Bridgeport Tusler had a banner night with 25 points on 9-of-15 shooting, including a perfect 4-of-4 mark from outside the arc. Tusler also grabbed five boards and swiped three steals. Derek Magnuson posted his sixth double-double of the season with 19 points and 11 rebounds, while Brycen Wojta added 13 points and two boards. The Royals shot 30-of-62 from the floor (48.4 percent) and 15-of-19 (78.9 percent) from the charity stripe. Meanwhile, BU surrendered just eight turnovers and swiped six steals, which led to a 18-7 margin in points scored off of turnovers. Bethel also outscored the Cobbers inside the paint 46-28. BU's next contest is to be determined, as Bethel not only has a bye on Saturday (which is when every other MIAC team finishes the regular season), but also in the opening round of the 2017 MIAC Playoffs. It's the first time since 2008-09 and the second since 1985-86 that BU has received an opening-round bye in the postseason.