MANKATO, Minn.  – The Bethany men's basketball team (6-5, 4-0) is now 4-0 in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) after defeating Northland College (3-6, 1-2) by a final score of 84-72.
 
The Vikings and Lumberjacks played back and forth basketball for much of the first half. Northland guard Brandon Galland led the charge for the Jacks and kept his team close with 16 points. The Vikings were able to gain separation the last eight minutes of the opening period and took a 43-33 lead into the break.
 
Neil Eichten scored 12 first half points for the Vikings while Jake Dale added eight. The Vikings shot 41.9% from the field in the first half and were 4-11 from the three-point line. Both teams were good at the free throw line with the Jacks converting 10 of 12 attempts and the Vikings converting all 13 of their attempts.
 
The Jacks cut the Viking lead to three points early in the second half, but the Vikings responded and pushed it back up to eight points. Northland fought all the way down the stretch, but the Vikings executed on both ends of the floor and converted their free throw attempts to pick up their fourth win in UMAC play.
 
Neil Eichten finished the game with 21 points and seven assists to power the Viking offense. Brady and Bradley Rose had an identical stats with 15 points and six rebounds each.
 
As a team, the Vikings were 27-28 from the free-throw line. Bethany also had 18 assists on 25 made field goals and shot 46.3% from the floor. The Viking defense was solid, holding Northland to just 36.8% from the field.
 
Up Next: The Vikings travel to Fayette, Iowa to take on Upper Iowa University in an exhibition contest before Christmas break. The game is on Tuesday, December 19 at 6 PM.
 
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MEDIA: If you need further information, please feel free to contact Dan DeWitt at 507-344-7856 or email ddewitt@blc.edu