ARDEN HILLS, Minn. — The Gustavus men's basketball team fell at the hands of Bethel Saturday afternoon, 80-68 on the road. The win gave the Royals the MIAC sweep, as they dealt the Gusties their first conference loss earlier in the season. Gustavus drops to 10-9 overall and 9-5 in the league with six games left in the regular season.
Bethel went on an early run in the first half, outscoring the Gusties 13-6 in the opening eight minutes, taking advantage of six Gustie turnovers and shooting 50% from the floor. The Gusties battled back, scoring 18 points in just six minutes on 7-for-13 shooting to take a five point lead over the Royals, 24-19. The two teams exchanged points on possessions before the Royals pulled away once more, shooting a perfect 6-for-6 from the field to end the half with a 38-31 lead over the Gusties.
The Gusties struggled to catch up in the second half, as cold shooting plagued the team's comeback effort. A layup from
Spencer Swanson cut the lead to just four points early in the half, but the Royals stormed back, shooting a blistering 76 percent to bring their lead to 64-50 with eight minutes left in the game. Bethel held the Gusties at arm's length the rest of the way, completing the win and the sweep, 80-68.
The Royals' Peyton Thomsen was certainly the game-changer on both sides of the court, putting up 39 points, a pair of steals, and a block to deal the Gusties the defeat. Bethel shot 52.9 percent from the field, while the Gusties shot 38.9 percent (28-for-72), their second lowest mark of the season.
Four Gusties scored in double digits, led by
Wyatt Olson with 16 points and 11 rebounds to complete the double-double.
Evan Wieker added 15 points and nine rebounds, while
Brady Kienitz and
Spencer Swanson each posted 10 points on the day. Swanson's four baskets and 33 field goal percentage were both season-lows for the star junior forward.
Gustavus looks to bounce back on Monday, hosting Macalester at Gus Young Court for a 7 p.m. tip-off.
