ARDEN HILLS, Minn.—Bethel University's men's basketball team kept its lead in the conference standings with an 89-71 win over Augsburg College Saturday afternoon. The Royals (10-2, 6-1 MIAC) shot 53.7 percent from the floor and 40 percent from outside the 3-point arc, which led to the 18-point victory over the Auggies (5-6, 3-3 MIAC). BU led by as many as 32 with under 10 minutes remaining before Augsburg clawed their way back in the final five minutes.
 
Bethel successfully picked apart the Auggies' 2-3 zone in the first half, as the Royals finished the opening frame 21-of-35 (60.0 percent) from the floor and 7-of-12 (58.3 percent) from downtown. Five players had already scored seven or more points in the initial 20 minutes, which allowed those same five players to finish in double figures for the game.
 
BU's success against the zone led to easy buckets inside, which resulted in a 50-16 advantage in points in the paint throughout the game. Bethel also outscored Augsburg 20-8 in second chance-points thanks to a 43-33 difference in total rebounds. The Royals recorded 20 assists and 13 turnovers opposed to the Auggies, who finished with eight assists and 12 turnovers.
 
For the third time in as many games freshman Granger Kingland led the Royals offensively. Kingland finished 5-of-12 from the floor and 4-of-9 from outside the arc for 16 points, while also grabbing three rebounds in 29 minutes.
 
Right behind Kingland was Tim Hanson and Bridgeport Tusler, who each tallied 14. Hanson recorded five boards and four assists, while Tusler tacked on three rebounds and three assists.
 
Brycen Wojta and Trevor Hall each added 12 points and three assists, but Hall also posted 12 boards and three steals for his second double-double of the season. His three steals extends his 13-game streak of two steals or more.
 
Bethel's defense held Collin Olmscheid, who averaged 19.5 points and 8.4 rebounds per game coming into Saturday's contest, to seven points and six rebounds in 29 minutes played.
 
The Royals next matchup is Wednesday, January 11 at 7 p.m., when they head down to St. Peter, Minn. to battle Gustavus Adolphus College.  Their duel against the Gusties starts a three-game road stretch before they return home on Saturday, January 21.