Box Score

Morris, Minn. – The Bethany Lutheran men’s basketball season ended last night in a 66-74 loss to Minnesota-Morris during the semifinals of the UMAC Post-Season Tournament.

The Vikings managed a higher field goal percentage holding their opponents to 42.6 percent from the field, while recording 44.6 percent from the field. Three-point shooting was a different story with Bethany Lutheran going 1-11 behind the arc in the first half. The Vikings went into the locker room down by seven at halftime.  

The Cougars shot 31.6 from three-point range, and defended the three-point shot well on the other side holding the Vikings to a low 20.8 percent.

Bethany Lutheran came back in the second to take the lead with nine minutes left to go after Gavin Kroehler (Le Sueur, Minn./Le Sueur-Henderson) scored with a layup in the paint. The Vikings continued to fight and were down by only two with 41 seconds to go. The Minnesota-Morris squad grabbed a steal, and hit critical free throws down the stretch to secure their win.

The Vikings led the Cougars in points in the paint, and bench points. The rebound margin was close with Minnesota-Morris grabbing one more board with 28 total rebounds, Bethany Lutheran had 27. Fouls gave the Vikings a little trouble allowing the Cougars to take a total of 33 shots at the charity stripe; they made 28 of those shots, while the Vikings went 11-12 from the free throw line.

Kroehler led the Vikings going 7-12 from the field and 4-4 from the free throw line to tally 18 points. He also had six rebounds, two assists, and two blocks. Alex Weldon (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Lin Mar) came off the bench for 17 points, four rebounds and two steals. Derek Peterson (Oakdale, Minn./Tartan) had a solid all-around night with 15 points, five rebounds, and two assist. Trevor Bartelt (Waldorf, Minn./Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton) led the Vikings in rebounds with seven.

Bethany Lutheran finished third in the UMAC regular season, and wrapped up the year 11-15 overall and 8-6 in the conference.