MANKATO, Minn. --- Crown Men's Basketball headed to Mankato with a spot on top of the UMAC Standings on the line as they faced the Bethany Lutheran Vikings. Unfortunately, the Storm fell to the Vikings 85-82. Junior Timothy Wendel had a huge game with 35 points, 15 rebounds, and 4 assists. Wendel made 14 of his 25 shot attempts, four of nine from beyond the arc. Down late in the game, the Vikings defense prevented Wendel from getting the ball for a game-winning shot. 

Senior Keegan Oyugi was second in scoring for the Storm, with 14 points on 50% from the field. Senior Logan Strand had nine points in the matchup, all coming in the first half where he did not miss a field goal. To end the first half, Strand scored on three straight layups in as many possessions, all assisted by Wendel. Junior Gunnar Ledin had nine points in the matchup and senior Josh Volness had eight. 

Similar to their loss against Northland last Saturday, Crown was in the game the entire time, but hardly held the lead in total time. The Storm return home with a matchup against the St. Scholastica Saints at 5:15 on Saturday in the Wild Athletic Center as they continue their UMAC schedule. The Bethany Vikings come to St. Bonifacius for a rematch on February 6.