MINNEAPOLIS—Bethel University's women's basketball team continues to play at a high level, as the Royals (19-4, 14-2 MIAC) won their ninth consecutive game thanks to Saturday's 68-59 victory at Augsburg College. BU outscored the Auggies (13-10, 6-10 MIAC) in the opening three quarters, which proved to be enough to outlast the home team in Si Melby Hall.
 
The Royals began Saturday's matinee with an 18-15 lead after the opening frame. A 9-2 run towards the end of the second helped BU pad its margin and enter the halftime break with a 32-25 advantage. Back-to-back 3-pointers right out of the gates in the third quarter then gave Bethel a 13-point lead and they never looked back.
 
Hannah Johnson once again led Bethel, as the sophomore post player tallied her eighth double-double of the season and her fifth in the last seven contests. Johnson finished Saturday's road game with 18 points, 14 rebounds, three assists, and two blocks. She's now averaging 13.5 points and 10.9 rebounds in the last 12 games, which comes after starting with an average of 8.5 points and 6.9 rebounds in the first 11 contests.
 
Right behind Johnson was Abby Miller and Angie Kirchoff. Miller finished 3-of-6 from outside the arc for 14 points and three rebounds, while Kirchoff tallied 12 points, two boards, and two blocks. Jasmin Bretoi added seven points and two assists, while Taite Anderson recorded six points, 10 rebounds, and three assists.
 
In total, Bethel finished with 18 assists, compared to Augsburg, who mustered 12. The Royals also outrebounded the Auggies 46-41 and scored with greater efficiency—44.6 percent compared to 30.4 percent.
 
BU will now closeout the regular season with a pair of home games next week. The Royals host Concordia-Moorhead on Wednesday in a men's and women's doubleheader at 5:45 p.m. and St. Catherine on Saturday at 3 p.m.