Five Bethany Athletes Selected for UMAC All-Conference Awards
Tuesday, March 02, 2010

Andy Sorensen

Mankato, Minn. - The Bethany basketball teams were well represented in post-season UMAC awards and honors.

On the men’s side, Tommy Saffert (North Mankato, Minn./Mankato West) not only made first team all-conference but also earned player of the year honors. However, Saffert was not the only men’s player honored by the conference. Stephone Frederick (Mankato, Minn./Mankato East), Bethany’s other senior, made the honorable mention team, while freshman Derek Peterson (Oakdale, Minn./Tartan) made the all-defensive team.

The women’s team also received recognition from the conference. Nicole Jones (Mankato, Minn./Mankato East) made the second team, while Anna Cepek (Aurora, Neb./Aurora) made honorable mention.

Saffert Named UMAC Player of the Year
Sunday, February 28, 2010

Julie Thomas

Mankato, Minn. - Bethany Lutheran’s Tommy Saffert (North Mankato, Minn./Mankato West) was named Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) Men’s Basketball First Team All-Conference, and Player of the Year. Saffert, who has entertained crowds for the past four years as a solid contributor to the Vikings’ success, was voted for the award by the league’s coaches. Saffert led the conference in points per game with 17.5 while earning top five numbers in assists per game (3.7), free throw percentage (.820), steals per game (1.9) and three-point field goal percentage (.413).

Saffert helped the Vikings to a tied second place finish in the UMAC regular season (9-5), and advance to the semifinals in the post-season tournament where a 68-54 loss to Minnesota-Morris ended the season.

Saffert now holds the all-time career points record at Bethany Lutheran with 1265. He also holds the Vikings career record in field goals made (422), in three-point field goals made (226), in assists (420), and in steals (192).

“Tommy is very deserving of the award,” Head Coach Rick Jeddeloh said. “He has been a tremendous asset to our program and our college. His work ethic and passion for the game, and our team has helped our program continue to grow in the right direction. The conference has many talented players, but Tommy has been consistently good in all areas of the game this season.”

Men's Basketball Falls to Minnesota-Morris
Friday, February 26, 2010

Andy Sorensen

Morris, Minn. - The Bethany men’s basketball team’s season ended Thursday evening with a 68-54 loss to Minnesota-Morris. The Viking defense did not answer the bell as the Cougars put up 41 points in the first half and as a result, could not hold the lead at all during the game.

Tommy Saffert (North Mankato, Minn./Mankato West) and Stephone Frederick (Mankato, Minn./Mankato East) ended their Viking careers with three and six points respectively. Derek Peterson (Oakdale, Minn./Tartan) led the team with 16 points and nine rebounds.

The Vikings end the season with a 10-16 mark and a 9-5 record in UMAC play.

Men's Basketball Continues in UMAC Post-Season Tournament
Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Andy Sorensen

Mankato, Minn. - The Bethany men’s basketball team scored an emotional 64-52 UMAC quarterfinal win over rival Martin Luther Tuesday night. The Bethany defense held strong only allowing 33 percent from the field, while the offense scored 40 points in the first half.

Derek Peterson (Oakdale, Minn./Tartan) led all scorers with 16 points and was a rebound short of a double-double. Also scoring in double figures for the Vikings were Stephone Frederick (North Mankato, Minn./Mankato East), Patrick Garvin (Jackson, Minn./Jackson), and Garrett Benson (Rochester, Minn./Rochester Mayo).

The Vikings continue their quest for their first UMAC postseason title tomorrow night as they travel to Minnesota-Morris to play the Cougars at 7:30 p.m.

Men's Basketball Advances to UMAC Post-Season Tournament
Monday, February 22, 2010

Andy Sorensen

Mankato, Minn. - The Bethany men’s basketball team catapulted their way to a win Saturday by blowing out Northland 84-58. It was a tightly contested game in the first half with Bethany taking a 40-30 lead into halftime, but the Viking defense stepped up in the second only allowing the LumberJacks to shoot 23 percent from the field, compared to the Vikings 50 percent.

Tommy Saffert (North Mankato, Minn./Mankato West) led all scorers with 18 points and added six assists, while Trevor Bartelt (Waldorf, Minn./Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton) pulled down 10 rebounds.

The Vikings (9-15, 9-5 UMAC) return to the court Tuesday night hosting a UMAC quarterfinal game against rival Martin Luther at 7:30 p.m.

Viking Men Down Saints
Saturday, February 20, 2010

Andy Sorensen

Mankato, Minn. - The Bethany men’s basketball team got one step closer to making another UMAC semifinal appearance with an 82-67 win over St. Scholastica.

Offensively, the Vikings were led by Tommy Saffert’s (North Mankato, Minn./Mankato West) game high 27 points, while Patrick Garvin (Jackson, Minn./Jackson) scored 12 points.

The Vikings (8-15, 8-5 UMAC) host Northland Saturday night at 5 p.m.