Sophomore guard Anders Nelson scored 22 points and No. 4-ranked St. Thomas secured another 20-win season with Wednesday night's 65-60 road defeat of Bethel.

St. Thomas (20-2 overall, 16-1 MIAC) has already locked up a first-round playoff bye and top-two conference finish. The Toms trail St. John's (18-0 MIAC) by 1.5 games in the league standings into the last eight days of the regular season. St. John's plays host to the Tommies this Saturday in Collegeville (1 p.m.).

In running its win streak to nine games, St. Thomas reached 20 victories for the 13th time in the last 15 seasons. The Purple are 12-1 this season in road and neutral games.

Seniors Tommy Anderson and Thomas Madison each scored 12 points to lead the victory, with Anderson adding five rebounds and four blocks. Riley Miller had eight points, six boards and five assists. Madison led a 14-0 edge in bench scoring over the Royals.

St. Thomas led just 24-23 at halftime, and was still tied 41-41 with 10:00 remaining. Bethel later trimmed an eight-point deficit down to four points, but Miller sank a jumper and two free throws in the final 51 seconds to help the Toms lock down the win.