Box Score PELLA, Iowa – The Bethany Lutheran men's basketball team Tuesday night traveled to Central College and came away with a 77-73 win. With the win the Vikings move to 10-3 on the year while the Dutch fall to 9-4.

The first half of this contest played fairly even with neither team really gaining serious momentum. The Dutch would take a 9-6 lead to open the game before the Vikings controlled the middle portion of the half, holding a 19-14 lead at the 10-minute mark.

Central would slowly fight back late in the first half, retaking a lead at 25-24 before Dominik Bangu finished a tough shot inside to put Bethany back in front. The Vikings would keep that lead at one point at 31-30 with four minutes to go before things hit a standstill late, with Central outscoring Bethany 4-1 in the final minutes to hold a two-point halftime lead.

The offense picked up in the second half for both teams as the Vikings outscored the Dutch 11-8 in the first 3:18 thanks in part to a few buckets from Xavier Patterson. After Bethany extended their lead to 54-50 just under midway into the half, Central would answer with seven straight to take a three point lead. Scoring for both teams would hit a bit of a lull over the next six minutes as the teams would play to an even 61-61 score with just over five minutes to go.

Central would take a 66-63 lead a few minutes later before Mason Ackley had a tough finish inside followed by a three pointer a few possessions later to give the Vikings a 68-66 advantage. The Dutch would answer with a corner three before a Bangu finish inside with 1:45 to go would give Bethany a one point lead. Another Central basket would help them take back the lead before Bangu would rebound his own miss and put it back home to put the visitors back on top.

After a Bangu steal on the defensive end he would once again come up big, knocking down a three late in the shot clock to put Bethany up two possessions. Unfortunately for the Vikings, a technical foul was called during the celebration and Central connected on both shots to make it a one possession game. Bethany however would get another stop and an Ackley fastbreak layup with under 10 seconds remaining would all but put the game away. To clinch it, Ackley would get a big time rejection on the defensive end to help drain the clock and give Bethany the win.

Ackley posted a career high with 31 points in the contest to go along with six rebounds, three steals, and three blocks. Bangu finished his night with 17 points for the Vikings to go along with 14 rebounds for a double-double, while Patterson had 15 points and six assists.

The Vikings are next in action on Saturday when they host Martin Luther for a 1:45 p.m. tip.