MORRIS, Minn. - It took 50 minutes of game time Wednesday night, but Bethany men's basketball came out on top 107-105 in a double overtime barn burner at UM-Morris. The Vikings improve to 11-8 overall and 4-2 in the UMAC at the halfway point of the conference schedule.Â
The Vikings spread out their offense with five players scoring in double figures, led by Will Walter's 21 points on 10-of-17 shooting from the floor. Jack Brockmann and Ricky Wengert posted 19 points each with Wengert making 5-of-9 three-pointers for a career-high. Max Briggs added 17 points while Elliot Whitney contributed 15 points and four assists off the bench.Â
Bethany started the game fast with a 7-0 lead in the first two minutes of the game and upped its lead to as much as 17 three times. Wengert's three at the 7:13 mark capped a 12-0 run and another three by Hudsen Jenniges gave the Vikings a 37-20 advantage with 5:19 remaining in the half. The Cougars hit a three on their last possession of the period to get within single digits at 50-41.Â
Morris flipped the script in the second half, largely in part to Brian LaRoche, Jr.'s ability to hit the three, who finished 9-for-12 from long range. The Cougars took their first lead with 4:25 left in the game and held the advantage until Walter made a layup with 44 seconds on the clock to tie the score at 89. Both teams had an opportunity at the game-winner in regulation, but missed.Â
Walter gave the Vikings a six-point lead midway through the first overtime, but LaRoche, Jr. completed a four-point play to tie the game at 100 with 22 seconds left. Briggs' shot at the end of the period was no good and the game went to double overtime.Â
Brady Ingersoll hit a three with 62 seconds left, which proved to be the game-winner as neither team scored in the final minute.Â
The Vikings shot 51.9 percent from the floor and 48.3 percent from beyond the arc. Morris dominated the boards 49-32 but committed 10 more turnovers than the Vikings.Â
Bethany continues its road trip Saturday afternoon at Crown. The Polars won the first game of the series 78-69 two weeks ago.Â
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