Bethany loses by 22 in NCAA first round

COLUMBUS — Nate Stahl scored 25 points and Capital set a school record for wins with a 92-70 victory over Bethany in the first round of the NCAA Division III men’s basketball tournament Thursday.

Stahl made five 3-pointers overall and scored 15 points in the first half as the Crusaders (24-5) bolted to a 50-32 halftime lead.

Steve Kyser added 13 points and eight rebounds for Capital, while Quintin Mitchell scored 11 and Ross Kiekamp had 10.

Marcus Adams and Brody Jackson scored 16 points apiece for Bethany (17-11), the Presidents’ Athletic Conference champion. Jonas Ankrom added 11 points and Ryan Besancon scored 10. Carey Palermo (Ursuline) had three asissts for the Bison.

Capital will travel to Hope (Mich.) for a second-round game Saturday.