Jackson knocked down 7-of-11 from behind the three-point arc and also added four assists. Joining Jackson and Conboy in double figures for the Scots were Wes McFarland with 12 points and Brad Liddell with 10.
Travis Jones had 18 points and five steals to lead the way for the Royals. Tim Gilbert and Matt Frederickson added 12 points apiece, while Steve Strom added 10.
Bethel’s last lead was at 7-5 five minutes into the game. The Scots responded with a 13-2 run which made the score 18-9 in favor of Macalester at the 9:33 mark and put them on top for good. Macalester led 43-26 at the intermission by holding the Royals to a 32% shooting figure.
Bethel got back into things in the second half, thanks largely to a 17-8 run beginning midway through the half. That reduced the Macalester lead to six points at 65-59 with 3:46 to play. Jackson had seven points and a couple assists after that, however, and the Scots were able to hold on.
Bethel had an 18-9 turnover advantage, but couldn’t overcome Macalester shooting performances of 10-for-20 from three and 20-for-26 from the foul line.
Macalester hasn’t lost on its home court since a two-point setback to Augsburg early last season. The Scots go for their 16th straight at home Wednesday (Jan. 26) against first-place St. Thomas. The Royals are off until next Saturday (Jan. 29) when they host Augsburg.