ST. BONIFACIUS, Minn. --- Crown Men's Basketball continued their early season on Saturday as the program hosted their first non-exhibition contest of the season against the Bethel University Royals. The Storm competed close for most of the contest, with the Royals pulling ahead in the second half.  The Storm were led by reigning Upper Midwest Athletic Conference Player of the Year Tim Wendel, who scored 31 points, grabbed nine rebounds, dished three assists and blocked three shots in the contest. After his 31 tonight, Wendel is at 1,497 career points and is only 19 away from breaking Austin VanDerHeyden's NCAA-era Storm record. 

Senior Gunnar Ledin joined Wendel in the 20-point scoring club, despite only being in 20 minutes of action. Ledin shot 75% and made three three-pointers at a 50% clip. Junior Christian Moore added eight points and five rebounds, and senior Torry Ledin also scored eight points. 

The difference in the game came at the three-point line, with Bethel hitting an incredible 60% from deep compared to Crown's 26% on a similar number of attempts. The Royals bench outscored the Storm bench 38-10. 

Crown returns to action on Wednesday when they head to Hamline University for a matchup with the Pipers. The Storm next play at home on Nov. 21 facing Macalester.