MINNEAPOLIS—Bethel University's men's basketball team improved its overall and conference record with an 83-62 road win at Augsburg College Saturday afternoon.  The Royals (17-6, 13-5 MIAC) not only outrebounded the Auggies (9-13, 7-10 MIAC) 40-28, but BU drastically outshot Augsburg in the 21-point victory.
 
Bethel led by four points with 2:40 remaining in the first half, but the Royals dominated their adversary over the next 17 minutes. BU closed out the opening frame on an 8-0 run to grab a 35-23 lead at the intermission break. They then opened the second half on a 9-2 run and never looked back. Bethel later stretched its 19-point lead with 14:54 left to 30 with 5:10 remaining on the clock before Augsburg closed the gap in the final minutes.
 
The Royals shot 54.4 percent from the floor and an even more impressive 57.9 percent from downtown. Meanwhile, Augsburg was limited to 38.1 percent shooting, including 25.0 percent from outside the arc. BU outscored the Auggies 32-22 in the paint and recorded 23 assists, opposed to Augsburg's 14.
 
Granger Kingland started Saturday's matinee 8-of-8 from the floor and 6-of-6 from downtown. He finished the game 9-of-11 for a game-high 26 points, alongside three assists, and two rebounds. Right behind Kingland was senior Brycen Wojta, who finished 7-of-11 from the floor and 4-of-5 from downtown for 20 points. Wojta also posted five assists and four boards. Rounding out Bethel's players in double figures was Derek Magnuson, who tallied 11 points and seven rebounds.
 
Following Saturday's victory over the Auggies, Bethel is now a half-game back of first place with two games to go. The Royals close out their season with two home contests. The first is Monday, February 13, when BU hosts Gustavus Adolphus College at 7 p.m. The second is Wednesday, February 15, when Bethel takes on Concordia College in their regular season finale at 7:45 p.m.