Swain, Bentley pace Storm to season-opening win

ARDEN HILLS, Minn. – Charles Swain scored 20 points, Drew Bentley made five 3-pointers and Simpson used a big run in the second half to beat Bethel 81-60 going away in the first round of the Perkins Tip-Off Tournament on Friday.

Simpson trailed at the half but went on a 14-0 run midway through the second half to pull away for the win.

A sophomore, Swain averaged two points per game a year ago but took advantage of his first career start. He went 8 of 12 from the field and hit a 3-pointer. Bentley finished with 18 points on 5 of 9 shooting from beyond the arc.

Olu Rotibi and Austin Hennings came off the bench to score 10 points apiece for the Storm (1-0).

Taylor Hall carried the load for the Royals (0-1) with 32 points and 14 rebounds in a losing effort.

Simpson trailed by as much as seven in the first half and trailed 34-31 at the break. Swain hit a 3-pointer with 12:40 left in the game that broke a 47-47 tie and gave Simpson the lead for good.

The Storm will play UW-Stout in the tournament championship game Saturday at 8 p.m. Stout beat St. Scholastica 82-51 in Friday's first game.