MANKATO, Minn. – The #1 Bethany Vikings (18-8, 13-3) hosted the #5 MN-Morris Cougars (13-15, 9-7) in the semi-finals of the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) tournament on Wednesday. The Cougars won their opening round game on Monday night at Crown for the right to play tonight while the Vikings came in well rested after having a full week off. The Vikings used the rest to their full advantage and dominated the Cougars on their way to a 112-69 win.
 
With six minutes gone in the first half, the score was 15-11 in favor of the Vikings. The next basket scored was a layup by Jake Dale which started a 31-3 run for the Vikings. The three-pointers started pouring in for the Vikings who shot 9-14 from deep in the first half. Brady Rose was 5-6 on his own from behind the arc on his way to 18 first-half points. The hot shooting and stifling defense by the Vikings helped them to a 53-22 lead at half.
 
The Vikings did not stop or slow down in the second half as Brady Rose buried a three on the first offensive possession for BLC. The Vikings largest lead of the game was 51 points which they held with less than six minutes to go in the game. The Vikings tonight scored a season-high 112 points and won by 43 points, their largest margin of victory this year.
 
Brady Rose scored a career-high 27 points on 8-11 shooting and 6-9 from three. Neil Eichten dished out a career-high 13 assists with zero turnovers. Jake Dale scored 15 points off the bench for the Vikings on 7-10 shooting and Trenton Krueger was a force down low with 15 points as well.
 
The Vikings shot 60.3% from the field and 14-24 from behind the arc. BLC dished out an amazing 32 assists and grabbed 44 rebounds. The Viking defense held the Cougars to 37.1% shooting and 7-29 from behind the arc while forcing 16 turnovers.
 
The 18th win for the Vikings sets a new single season record.
 
Up Next: The Vikings will host the UMAC championship game on Saturday, February 24 with an automatic bid to the national tournament on the line.
 
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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