MANKATO, Minn. - Dramatic finishes have become routine for Bethany men's basketball this season, and Wednesday night's UMAC opener followed suit as the Vikings pulled out a thrilling 70-69 win over Northwestern.

Bethany (8-6) erased a 16-point deficit in the second half as Cooper Mensink sunk a three-pointer with 46 seconds on the clock to take a 68-67 lead. The Eagles regained the advantage with seven seconds left, but Max Briggs was fouled on a fast break layup and made both free throws with one second remaining. Briggs finished with a game-high 20 points with six rebounds and three assists. 

The start of the game wasn't pretty for either team as Northwestern shot 0-for-13 in the first eight minutes and Bethany - after leading 7-0 - didn't make a bucket from the field for over 11 minutes. The Eagles used the Vikings scoring drought to take a 23-10 lead with 4:30 left in the first and held a 30-23 advantage at half. Both teams shot 30 percent from the floor in the opening 20 minutes. 

Northwestern built its lead to as much as 16 points with 11:48 on the clock before the Vikings started to chip away. A jumper by Jack Brockmann at the 4:34 mark started a 13-2 run, which was capped by the Mensink trey with 46 seconds left. Brockmann also had a dunk on the previous possession to get the Vikings within two. Brockmann finished with 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting and a game-high 11 rebounds for his third double-double this season. 

The Vikings finished the game shooting 42.2 percent from the field. The Eagles edged the Vikings on the glass 41-40. 

Bethany continues league play Saturday evening at UW-Superior. 
  Read Full Article