ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Macalester College men's basketball team overcame an eight-point halftime deficit to beat Bethel University, 72-63 Saturday afternoon in the Leonard Center. The MIAC win gives the Scots a 5-9 record overall and a 2-7 mark in the conference, while the Royals fall to 7-6, 4-5 MIAC.

The victory also ends a long losing streak to Bethel that stretches 29 games. Macalester's previous win over the Royals came on Nov. 30, 2005 in the old Macalester Gymnasium.

Bethel took control of the game early and led throughout the first half, eventually taking a 38-30 advantage at halftime. The Royals hit eight three-pointers in the game's first 20 minutes, while the Scots shot just 36.7 percent from the field.

After Tommy Jensen made a three-pointer on Bethel's first possession of the second half, Macalester heated up from deep. Three-pointers by first year guard Coby Gold (Denver, Colo./Kent Denver), sophomore guard Tom Andreae (Newton, Mass./Newton North), senior guard Gabriel Ramos (Dorado, Puerto Rico/Tasis Dorado), and sophomore guard Caleb Williams (Wild Rose, Wis./Wild Rose) sparked a 14-4 run that brought the Scots to within one, 45-44 with 15:36 remaining.

A basket by Gold at the 12:43 mark gave Macalester its first lead of the game, 46-45, then Ramos hit another three for a 49-45 advantage. Over the next 4:34, Bethel used a 10-5 run to regain the lead, 55-54 with 6:01 to play. With the game on the line, the Scots answered in a big way, with Gold and Williams draining back-to-back threes sandwiched around a steal by Andreae to lead, 60-55. After the Royals pulled to within one point, Andreae found Williams in the paint for an and-one dunk, and Williams made the ensuing free throw for a 63-59 edge with under two minutes left. Senior guard Eric Sathy (Cupertino, Calif./Homestead) made his third three-pointer of the game, and the Scots hit their free throws down the stretch to close out the win and end a four-game losing streak.

Macalester was 9-of-17 from beyond the arc in the second half and 14-of-29 (.483) for the game. The Scots also earned a 42-30 advantage on the glass, with Ramos grabbing a career-high 14 rebounds to go with seven points and five assists. Gold led the offense with 22 points and four three-pointers, while Williams finished with 15 points, eight boards and four assists. Andreae tallied season highs of 10 points, four rebounds and four assists. Isaiah Rollins paced the Royals with 14 points.

Macalester continues MIAC play with a road game at St. Olaf on Wednesday, Jan. 19. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. in Northfield.