Mankato, Minn. — Crown's fans were well represented in Mankato for a UMAC game that could be a potential playoff matchup down the line. Crown's men's basketball team faced Bethany Lutheran in a high scoring, back and forth game, but couldn't escape the top UMAC team's home with a win, falling late 99-104. 

Sophomore Tim Wendel eclipsed the 30 point mark for the third time this season; Wendel had 31 points on 12/24 shooting, seven rebounds, two assists, and four steals as he was on the court almost the entire game. Junior Josh Volness tied his season-high of 25 points, making nine field goals on 50% shooting from the field. Volness made six non-three point field goals, his most two-point makes on the season. Volness also had seven rebounds and six assists in the game. Senior Austin VanDerHeyden made over half of his field goal attempts, scoring 16 points and shot 100% from downtown on two attempts. This was VanDerHeyden's third game of the season going exactly 2/2 from deep. VanDerHeyden, like Wendel and Volness, also added seven rebounds in the match.

Senior point guard Trey Peace had eleven points and six assists in the game. First-year Christian Moore had ten points and six rebounds off the bench for the Storm. Crown played well, but the defense was the issue with Bethany making 56% of their baskets and was one three-point make away from shooting over 50% from three. Late fouls were also an issue for the Storm, with Peace and Wendel fouling out. Crown had 24 fouls compared to the Vikings 14. 

With Crown's loss and Northland's win, they are one game up on the five-seed in the UMAC Playoff picture; however, Northland comes to town on Saturday for a game that will likely have playoff implications.