Blaine Native Taylor Hall Honored by MIAC as Men's Basketball Athlete of the Week

SAINT PAUL, MN (02/24/2012)(readMedia)-- Bethel University senior Taylor Hall of Blaine, Minn., was named Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) Men's Basketball Athlete of the Week for his performance the week of February 13-20, 2012.

Going into the last week of the season, the Royals needed to win at least two of their last three games to advance to the 2012 MIAC Men's Basketball Playoffs. Bethel faced University of St. Thomas and Gustavus Adolphus College, two of the conference's co-champions, in the final week of their schedule. Hall averaged 20 points, 7 rebounds, 2.3 blocked shots, 1.3 assists, and 1.3 steals in Bethel's final week of the regular season. This incredible performance pushed Bethel to beat St. Mary's and the MIAC conference top ranked Gustavus, allowing the Royals to clinch the sixth and final playoff spot.

To begin the week, Hall finished with 22 points, 7 rebounds, three blocks, two assists, and two steals in the Royals' 60-46 over St. Mary's on Monday. Hall continued to shine in Wednesday's 69-55 loss to St. Thomas, finishing with 16 points and six rebounds. In his last regular-season game, Hall contributed to Saturday's 68-52 win over the Gusties with 22 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 blocks. These unbelievable performances named Hall the MIAC Men's Basketball Athlete of the Week for the second time this season. Hall gave two 22-point finishes in Bethel's two of three victories this week, and shot .489 from the floor.

For the season, Hall ranks sixth in the MIAC in scoring, averaging 16.2 points per game. In the MIAC he also ranks tenth in rebounds (6.2 per game) and fourth in blocked shots (1.04 per game). With a 2-1 record for the final week of Bethel's regular season, the Royals finished with a 15-10 overall record and an 11-9 MIAC conference record. Bethel faced third-ranked St. Olaf in the MIAC first round playoff game on Wednesday, February 22. The Royals upset the Oles in a 77-58 victory. Hall added the only double-double of the night, finishing with 13 points, 10 rebounds, and three assists.

Bethel University is a leader in Christ-centered higher education with approximately 6,600 students from 48 states and 25 countries enrolled in undergraduate, graduate, seminary, and adult education programs. Based in St. Paul, Minn., with additional seminary locations on both coasts, Bethel offers rigorous bachelor's and advanced degrees in nearly 100 relevant fields. For further information on Bethel University, go to www.bethel.edu.