Carleton canned 14 three-pointers while the Royals connected on 11 triples. The two teams were a combined 25-for-53 (47.1 percent) from three-point range and had but 12 total turnover (five for Carleton, seven for Bethel). It marked the sixth-most three-pointers made in a single game in Carleton history and the most in four seasons.
The Knights (8-7, 6-4 MIAC) rallied from a 13-point deficit in the second half primarly in the three-point shot. Trailing 53-40 less than five minutes into the second half, the Knights connected on a trio of threes, two by junior Dan Forkrud, eventaully outscoring the hosts 11-0 after a pair of Forkrud free throws to pull within two, 53-51.
Bethel, however, wouldn't relinquish the lead, bumping it back to as many as seven points before the Knights' final push. Tommy Drake hit a three, Baquero canned a jumper and made one of two free throws and a second Drake bucket brought the Knights with one, 71-70, with under two minutes left. Bethel's Travis Jones stemmed the tide momentarily with a basket, but Baquero's fourth long-range connection of the game tied the game at 73-73.
On Bethel's next possession, Trent Perry found Isaac Hinrichs alone under the basket for two. Carleton missed on a three-point attempt by Beste in the corner with four seconds left, and Perry calmly sank both free throws after being fouled to seal the win for Bethel.
Baquero's 17 points paced the Knights and Forkrud added 16 points and five rebounds for the Knights, who dropped into a third-place tie with the Royals with the loss. Kyle Beste added 12 points, four rebounds and four assists and Drake added 11 points, eight rebounds and five assists. Jake Phillips was also in double figures with 11 points for Carleton.
Bethel's Tim Gilbert led all scorers with 23 points and Jones added 14 points, five rebounds and three assists. Bethel held a 40-30 edge on the glass, including 12 offensive boards.
Carleton vs Bethel University 01/19/05 7:30 p.m. at Robertson Center at Bethel University At Robertson Center at Bethel University BETHEL UNIVERSITY 77, CARLETON 73 CARLETON (6-4 MIAC, 8-7) Anthony Baquero 5-13 3-5 17; Dan Forkrud 6-12 2-2 16; Kyle Beste 6-12 0-2 12; Tommy Drake 4-9 0-2 11; Jake Phillips 4-6 0-0 11; Micah Johnson 2-3 0-0 6; Brian Sharkey 0-2 0-0 0; Mike Kootsikas 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 27-59 5-11 73. BETHEL UNIVERSITY (6-4 MIAC, 11-4) Tim Gilbert 9-13 2-4 23; Travis Jones 5-13 3-4 14; Tyson Bjorklund 3-8 0-0 9; Matt Fredrickson 3-4 0-0 8; Trent Perry 2-8 2-2 7; Charles Meadowcroft 3-5 0-0 6; Isaac Hinrichs 2-4 1-2 5; Wade Blazejak 1-3 0-0 3; Steve Strom 1-4 0-0 2. Totals 29-62 8-12 77. Carleton...................... 33 40 - 73 Bethel University............. 37 40 - 77 3-point goals-Carleton 14-29 (Anthony Baquero 4-9; Tommy Drake 3-5; Jake Phillips 3-5; Micah Johnson 2-3; Dan Forkrud 2-3; Brian Sharkey 0-2; Mike Kootsikas 0-2), Bethel University 11-24 (Tyson Bjorklund 3-6; Tim Gilbert 3-4; Matt Fredrickson 2-3; Wade Blazejak 1-3; Travis Jones 1-5; Trent Perry 1-3). Fouled out--Carleton-None, Bethel University-None. Rebounds-Carleton 30 (Tommy Drake 8), Bethel University 40 (Steve Strom 8; Charles Meadowcroft 8). Assists-Carleton 21 (Tommy Drake 5), Bethel University 14 (Travis Jones 3; Trent Perry 3). Total fouls-Carleton 12, Bethel University 12. A-713