Box Score

MINNEAPOLIS - The Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) playoff picture is now set, and with Bethel's 61-36 win over host Augsburg today the Royals will be in that picture for the first time since the 2005-06 season.

The Royals never trailed and headed to the locker room at halftime with a 33-19 lead thanks to a diverse scoring attack. In the second half, Bethel intensified their attack by going on a 14-0 run to open up a 31 point lead with just four minutes to play.

Both Annegret Nautsch (Sr., Everett, Wash.) and Kristen Wolters (Jr., St. Cloud, Minn.) finished the afternoon with 12 points and seven rebounds. Nautsch also added six blocks to her season total, as well as a steal and an assist. Autumn Beasley (Fr., Medina, Minn.) scored 11 points, while Shana Grejtak (So., Franklin, Minn.) matched that number in rebounds.

Although Bethel entered today's game with the highest rebound margin, they were outdone today by the Auggies 47-37. Christa Suedbeck was the most active on the boards, grabbing 13, with seven of those coming on offense. Suedbeck also had six blocks to match Nautsch. Michelle Richter 10 rebounds, but had just three points on 1-for-10 shooting from the floor. The game's high scorer was Augsburg's Serenae Levin with 17 points.

Turnovers were a major factor in the game as the Auggies gave the Royals the ball 29 times compared to just 17 miscues by Bethel. Augsburg made just 21 percent of their shots in the game while Bethel made nearly 40 percent of its baskets.

The win guarantees Bethel a winning season both overall and in conference play for the first time under Coach Jon Herbrechtsmeyer who took over the program in 2002. The Royals are now 13-10 overall and 12-8 in the MIAC with two games remaining. The 12 wins is the most Bethel has had in the MIAC since the team went to the NCAA playoffs back at the end of the 1996-97 season. Augsburg falls to 4-19 overall and 2-18 in conference play. The Royals are scheduled to stay on the road by traveling down to St. Peter, Minn., to take on the Gustavus Gusties next Wednesday night beginning at 7:30 p.m.