STORM LAKE, Iowa (Nov. 22, 2025) - Sophomore Jayden Brink scored a career-high 22 points, including the go-ahead three-point shot with 31 seconds remaining in OT, to help lead the Buena Vista men's basketball team to a thrilling 83-78 overtime victory over Bethel University inside of Siebens Fieldhouse on Saturday night.

Brink, who chalked up 16 points in an exhibition game at Drake University on Friday night, came right back and posted an official career-high in points on 7-of-12 shooting from the floor. His biggest shot of the night came late in the shot clock in overtime as he stepped back and drilled a long range shot to put the Beavers in front 79-78 with just over 30 seconds to go. He finished the night going 3-of-6 from long range. The Royals, coming out of a timeout, had a chance to regain the lead but misfired on a three-point shot and then came up empty on a follow-up shot after grabbing an offensive rebound. Junior Kyle Sternberg grabbed that rebound and was fouled with under 10 seconds left and calmly went to the free-throw line facing a one-and-one opportunity and made both.

The Beavers fouled Bethel as the Royals got the ball to midcourt to not allow them an opportunity at a three-point attempt. The first attempt of the one-and-one was off target as senior Ned Hayes hauled in the board was fouled and proceeded to make both of his attempts to make it an 83-78 lead with under six seconds to go.

Hayes turned in a career-high 13 points for the Beavers while sophomore Adam Bryte posted his first career double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Senior Jackson Jones flirted with a double-double of his own with nine points and eight boards while his sophomore brother, Jaden, chipped in with eight points and a career-high five steals.

Buena Vista made 4-of-8 shot attempts during bonus play and converted all six free-throw shots. The Beavers finished the game at 43.9 percent from the field overall, including a 9-of-25 effort from downtown. They also went 16-of-20 at the free-throw line compared to only 9-of-14 from the Royals.

Bethel (1-2) made 3-of-6 from downtown in OT and made 13-of-32 for the game (40.6 percent). The Royals were just under 50.0 percent overall and got 18 points from AJ Kaul who made 6-of-12 from beyond the arc as well as 18 from Nick Burke who was 3-for-9 from distance.

BVU improves to 2-1 on the year and is back on the court for the Snyder Classic, hosted by Nebraska Wesleyan, on Nov. 28 and 29. The Beavers will begin play against Crown College on Friday, Nov. 28 at 5 p.m. before facing the University of Dallas on Saturday, Nov. 29 at 3 p.m.