Box Score

ARDEN HILLS, Minn. - Coming off a difficult loss against Gustavus, the Bethel women looked for some positive reenforcement in their game against Augsburg. And find it they did, defeating the Auggies by the second largest margin of any Royal game this year.  At the end of the game the score board read Bethel 73, Augsburg 55.

By halftime, it was clear the Royals were in a much better position than they had been against the Gusties. Though each team took an equal number of shots, Bethel's shooting percentage was almost 47 percent, while Augsburg's was only 32.  Another area in which Bethel saw significant progress was in turnovers. Against Gustavus, Bethel had 16 turnovers at the end of the first half. At the same time in the Augsburg game, they had given up only four. As the first half came to an end Bethel led 41-26.

The second half played out much like the first, with each team's shooting percentages staying much the same. Bethel handily kept Augsburg at bay throughout the rest of the game, helped in part by six blocks from Annegret Nautsch (Sr., Everett, Wash.). On the offensive end, the Royals worked together, threading passes through the Augsburg defense. Adding to the effort were Taylor Sheley (Fr., Backus, Minn.) and Autumn Beasley (Fr., Medina, Minn.) with 14 and 13 points, respectively. Nautsch also had 11 points and seven rebounds. Shana Grejtack (So., Franklin, Minn.) led the team with eight rebounds in addition to her nine points, four assists, steal, and a block. As a team, the Royals blocked 13 Auggie shots today.

For Augsburg, key performers include Shannon Renne with 13 points, and Lexi Thompson with 12. Serenae Levine also contributed 9 rebounds to the Augie cause, as did Michelle Richter.

A victory brings Bethel to 5-5 in conference and 6-7 overall, while Augsburg falls to 2-11 overall and 0-10 in the MIAC. The next Royals game is scheduled to be held on Monday, January 19, at 5:45 p.m. when they travel to Northfield to take on Carleton.