BOX SCORE
ARDEN HILLS, Minn. – A 24-7 run with 7:49 remaining in the second half gave Bethel University's men's basketball team its first three-game win-streak of the 2011-12 season with a 72-55 victory tonight over Augsburg College. Coming into tonight's contest the Auggies were the number two team in the MIAC, whereas the Royals were in seventh and on the rise, winning its last two games over St. Thomas and Gustavus Adolphus. BU held its opponent to just 36 percent shooting and eagerly found ways to score, finishing 49 percent from the floor.
Augsburg led the majority of the first half, claiming a lead of five or less throughout the period's initial 16 minutes. A lay-up by
Luke Buttenhoff (So., Watertown, Minn.) and consecutive baskets by
Daniel Baah (Sr., Farmington, Minn.) gave the home team its first lead of the night and a one-point advantage. The Auggies composed an 8-4 run to end the half, giving the traveling team the 27-24 lead at the half.
Bethel out-muscled Augsburg in the paint 14-10 in the opening period, however, surrendered 40 percent shooting defensively. The Royals also forced ten turnovers, which led to a 6-2 advantage in points scored off turnovers, while BU only suffered three. Baah was exceptional in the first half shooting five-of-nine from the floor for ten points and three steals.
The Royals hit the floor in the second half inspired, taking the lead with the opening shot and holding it until the 15-minute mark. Augsburg acquired the lead at the point, while maintaining a small point spread for the next seven and a half minutes. With less than eight minutes to go though, it was all Royals, as BU was sensational down the stretch. Baah triggered a 11-0 run with a bomb from downtown, followed by a three-ball from
Kellan Dahlquist (Sr., St. Cloud, Minn.) and
AJ Hatchett (Fr., Powder Springs, Ga.). Bethel University didn't stop there, pouring on consecutive lay-ups that led to a 14-point lead with 3:46 to play. As the Auggies attempted to narrow the gap in the remaining minutes, BU snagged two steals that set up picture-perfect dunks by both
Daniel Baah and
Taylor Hall (Jr., Blaine, Minn.) that put the exclamation point on the contest, while sending the crowd at the Robertson Center Gym over the edge with excitement.
The second frame saw similar results as the first, as BU outscored Augsburg 18-8 in the paint and managed an 11-2 margin in points off turnovers. Bear in mind that before tonight's game the Auggies boasted two of the top post players in the conference. The Royals finished the half 16-of-25 from the floor, shooting 64 percent in the period. Hall delivered 14 second-half points, three rebounds, two assists, a block, and a steal, while Baah poured in an additional 11 points and a steal.
After tonight's premier MIAC battle,
Daniel Baah finished with 21 points and four steals, while Hall added 18 and five rebounds.
AJ Hatchett also contributed seven bench points that helped Bethel outscore Augsburg 18-6 in points from the bench.
If Bethel hasn't been deemed as “The team no one wants to play right now,” than nothing will convince those who refuse to admit to that statement. Winners of their last three games, the Royals head into the weekend playing Macalester for their third straight home affair. Tip-off for Saturday's game is set for 3 p.m. in Arden Hills, Minn.
