Box Score

ARDEN HILLS, Minn. - Bethel entered tonight's basketball game looking to recapture some of the magic that helped them win five out of six games during an earlier stretch of the season. However, the Augsburg Auggies had other plans and handed the Royals an 81-56 loss.

The Royals found themselves down early, 19-9. However they outscored the Auggies 20-14 to close the last twelve minutes of the first half, only trailing by four heading into the locker room, 33-29. The Royals couldn't play catch up the entire game, however, and the lead only grew for the visitors.

Nate Robertson (Sr., Forrest Lake, Minn.) led the way with 14 points and also cleaned 10 rebounds off the boards for yet another double-double. Rob Lang (Johnston, Iowa)  also contributed double figures with 10 points and three rebounds.

For the Auggies, Jon Cassens led the way with 19 points. Cassens had a good supporting cast with two other Auggies scoring in double digits as well.

The Auggies made 10 3-pointers tonight, compared to the Royals three. Augsburg had 19 points off the bench tonight and had three players with five or more rebounds. Bethel, however, did edge the Auggies in 2nd chance points, 16-8, and points off turnovers, 16-13.

The loss sets Bethel back to 11-13 overall and 7-12 in the MIAC, while the Auggies (17-7 overall, 12-7 MIAC) have won three of their last four contests. The Royals wil ltry to bounce back on Saturday and close out the season on a winning note on Saturday, February 20, vs. Carleton College. The game is scheduled for 3 p.m. in the Robertson Center.