Box Score

ARDEN HILLS, Minn. - A packed Robertson Center on the campus of Bethel University got what they paid for as Tim Madson (Jr., Redwood Falls, Minn.) hit a three point shot with less than two seconds remaining to give Bethel a 74-72 win to secure their 10th consecutive playoff appearance.

Today's game represented the play-in game for the final spot in the MIAC playoffs.  Both teams entered today's contest at 10-9 in the conference, each needing a win to advance.  The Royals did so in dramatic fashion, closing out their season with three wins in a row.  The Royals actually trailed 16-2 eight minutes into the game, but came back to take a 39-34 halftime lead.

Hero-of-the-day Madson led Bethel with 21 points on 8-for-18 shooting from the floor.  His only three pointer was the game winner, a shot he put up despite being heavily guarded by an Augsburg defender.

Mike Much (So., Champlin, Minn.) was the only other Royal to finish in double figures with 10 points, of which six came from the free throw line where he was perfect on the afternoon.  Much played aggressive basketball on defense, making three steals and blocking a shot as well.

Mike Moberg, fresh off a 26-point performance against Macalester, was held to just nine points, but did snag 12 rebounds and blocked three shots. Rob Lang (So., Johnston, Iowa) also finished with nine points, including two momentum shifting baskets, one in each half.  Lang's slam dunk early in the first half was a key part of a 10-2 run to bring Bethel back into the game.  In the second half, Lang hit a three-point shot to bring the Royals back within two points at 56-54.

Bethel's lone senior, Jeff Reck (St. Paul, Minn.), playing in his final home game, also score nine points and was a perfect 2-for-2 from the free throw line.  Reck missed just one free throw shot the entire season, going 17-for-18 overall.

Augsburg's Jon Cassens led all scorers with 29 points on 10-for-21 shooting, including 4-for-7 from the perimeter.  Cassens started the game by scoring nine of the Auggies first 12 points.  Femi Solaja, one of only two players in the entire MIAC to be averaging a double-double on the season, was held to just 13 points and seven rebounds.  Solaja played much of the second half with four fouls.  Nate Alm was Augsburg's third player to hit double digits, scoring 11 points.  Alm fouled out with less than a minute to play.

The win sends Bethel into the playoffs for the 10th time in as many years.  They finish the regular season with a 11-9 conference record and 15-10 overall record.  Augsburg closes the book on their season at 10-10 in the MIAC and 12-13 overall.  The Royals will have to wait for the result of the Saint John's/St. Thomas game tonight to find out whether they will play at Carleton or at Concordia next Tuesday night.