MANKATO, Minn. - In a game that featured 18 lead changes and 20 ties, Bethany men's basketball pulled out a 79-77 win over Carleton on Tuesday night, improving to 4-3 overall.
Carleton had the upper hand early and often, jumping out to a 14-3 lead in the first 4:30 of the game, forcing a Viking timeout. A layup by Cole Johnson at the 13:29 mark sparked an 8-0 run and a Max Briggs three-pointer with 8:41 on the clock tied the game at 22. Jack Brockmann gave the home team its first lead of the game at 24-22 with a dunk and the advantage switched sides four more times to end the half with the Vikings up 40-38 at the break following a three by Amory Peterson.
The Knights regained the lead in the second half and built it to eight points (60-52) with 13:37 remaining. Brockmann ensued with a jumper on the next possession which started a 14-0 run over the next four minutes. Brockmann capped the run with consecutive two-handed slams following a pair of steals, forcing a Carleton timeout at 9:44 with the Vikings up 66-60. The Knights came within one point twice but the Vikings had an answer each time. Briggs made one-of-two from the line with 19 seconds left in the game to go up by two and a defensive stop on the final Carleton possession ended the game.
Bethany shot 44.1 percent from the field and made 9-of-31 three-pointers. The Vikings shot a pedestrian 58.8 percent from the charity stripe. The Knights converted at 46 percent from the floor and were just 4-for-19 from long range. They were a perfect 15-for-15 from the line. The visitors also out-rebounded the Vikings 43-28.
Brockmann led the offense with 18 points on 9-of-14 shooting, including a team-high six rebounds with three assists, two steals, and a block. Briggs and Will Walter added 16 points apiece.
Bethany continues its homestand next Tuesday night against Oak Hills Christian College.
