SJU raced out to its biggest lead of the game at 25-9 with 8:16 left in the first half. The Royals cut the lead to 35-25 by intermission. Bethel took a lead at 42-41 with 9:52 remaining on a three-point basket by senior forward Travis Jones. SJU answered to take a 60-52 lead with 2:04 remaining. The Johnnies made 5-of-8 free throws in the final two minutes to cap the win.
The Johnnies shot 40.4 percent (21-of-52) from the field and made 20-of-28 (71.4 percent) free throws. The Johnnies entered the game only making 53.8 percent of their free throws. Besides Henrichs and Ohme, sophomore wing Tim Veurink had eight points and six rebounds, while junior post Andrew Spaanem contributed five points and eight rebounds. The Johnnies won the rebounding battle 49-38.
The Royals shot 29.4 percent (20-of-68) from the field and only 17.6 percent (6-of-34) from behind the three-point line. The Royals entered the game averaging 93.0 points per game, making 48.8 percent from the field and 43.1 percent from the three-point line. The Royals were led by senior guard Tim Gilbert with 17 points, while Jones had 15 points, 10 rebounds and five blocked shots. Sophomore forward Charles Meadowcroft had 12 points for the Royals.
SJU improved to 2-3 overall and 2-2 in the MIAC, while Bethel fell to 6-1 overall and 2-1 in the MIAC. SJU will host Presentation, S.D. on Friday, Dec. 10, at Sexton Arena in Collegeville, while Bethel travels to Crown on Saturday, Dec. 11, for a 7:30 p.m. tip.
Newspaper Box Score Bethel University vs Saint John's University 12/08/04 7:30 pm at Sexton Arena, Collegeville, Minn. At Sexton Arena, Collegeville, Minn. SAINT JOHN'S UNIVERSITY 65, BETHEL UNIVERSITY 60 BETHEL UNIVERSITY (6-1, 2-1 MIAC) Tim Gilbert 5-14 5-7 17; Travis Jones 5-20 3-10 15; Charles Meadowcroft 4-7 4-6 12; Andy Cook 2-3 2-2 6; Steve Strom 1-1 0-0 3; Trent Perry 1-4 0-0 3; Wade Blazejak 1-4 0-0 2; Matt Fredrickson 1-5 0-0 2; Tyson Bjorklund 0-10 0-0 0. Totals 20-68 14-25 60. SAINT JOHN'S UNIVERSITY (2-3, 2-2 MIAC) Paul Henrichs 5-15 5-6 15; Matt Ohme 5-13 3-4 14; Tim Veurink 2-5 3-4 8; Zach Reif 3-6 0-0 7; Nicholas Pariseau 1-3 4-4 6; Craig Schafer 3-4 0-0 6; Brent Baune 1-1 0-0 2; Scott Schafer 1-2 0-0 2; Jesse Ellens 0-1 0-0 0; Jon Kaus 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 21-52 20-28 65. Bethel University............. 25 35 - 60 Saint John's University....... 35 30 - 65 3-point goals-Bethel University 6-34 (Travis Jones 2-7; Tim Gilbert 2-8; Trent Perry 1-3; Steve Strom 1-1; Matt Fredrickson 0-3; Tyson Bjorklund 0-9; Wade Blazejak 0-3), Saint John's University 3-9 (Matt Ohme 1-2; Tim Veurink 1-2; Zach Reif 1-4; Jon Kaus 0-1). Fouled out--Bethel University-Travis Jones, Saint John's University-None. Rebounds-Bethel University 38 (Travis Jones 10), Saint John's University 49 (Paul Henrichs 12). Assists-Bethel University 8 (Travis Jones 4), Saint John's University 13 (Paul Henrichs 4). Total fouls-Bethel University 25, Saint John's University 24. A-1176