ARDEN HILLS, Minn. – Shooting an even 50 percent from the field (30-of-60), the Bethel University men's basketball team shot its way to an 86-63 MIAC opening win over Hamline inside the Robertson Center.

The Royals led wire-to-wire improving to 3-1 on the year and 1-0 in MIAC play. BU plays host to St. Olaf next Tuesday before going on Thanksgiving break. Tip off in the Robertson Center is set for 7 p.m.

Senior Granger Kingland led all scorers with a game-high 22 points on 6-of-12 shooting. Junior Chandler Wellman chipped in 16 points and eight rebounds while Isaiah Carver-Bagley scored 12 points to go along with nine rebounds.

The Royals expanded on their 23-point halftime lead, as Kingland broke a four minute scoring drought to open up the second half with a pair of free throws. The lead reached 59-39 with a jumper from Jack Jenson in the paint at the 10:45 mark. Hamline went on a near three minute scoring drought as Bethel pushed the lead to 25.

Senior Coleton Barz gave Bethel its largest lead of the contest at 86-56 with his first collegiate points after grabbing a defensive rebound on the other end.

Bethel dominated from the opening tip starting on a 16-2 run. Kingland and Wellman accounted for 11 of the Royals first 16 points while combining for just over half of Bethel's points in the first 20 minutes. BU's perimeter defense was lights out forcing Hamline to go 0-for-9 from long distance with the Royals taking a 44-21 lead into the locker room. 

Story by Austin Lagesse, Bethel University Assistant Sports Information Director