Women's Basketball | 2/22/2017 10:33:00 AM

Bethel: Schedule | Roster | Stats
Augsburg: Schedule | Roster | Stats
Tonight's links: Live video | Live stats | Twitter

ARDEN HILLS, Minn. — Bethel University's women's basketball team plays host to No. 6-seed Augsburg College in the opening round of the 2017 MIAC Playoffs Wednesday evening. Tipoff between the Royals (21-4) and Auggies (15-10) is scheduled for 7 p.m. All fans are reminded that tickets are $7 for adults and $3 for students, however, students with a Bethel ID can get in for $1. Fans are encouraged to take part in a "WHITEOUT" tonight, by wearing white to the game. 

Prior to this evening's quarterfinal game between BU and Augsburg, bethelroyals.com gives fans nine things to know heading into the postseason matchup. If fans are unable to make it to the game they can follow along via live webcast, live stats, and twitter. 

The Bethel file
The Royals enter tonight's game with a 21-4 record on the season and a 16-2 mark in conference play. As a result, Bethel has secured the No. 3 seed in the 2017 MIAC Playoffs, which is the team's second-highest seed since 1996-97. BU enters the playoffs on an 11-game winning streak that started back on January 14 when the Royals defeated St. Kate's 86-57.
 
The Augsburg file
The Auggies come into this evening's playoff matchup at 15-10 overall and 8-10 in league play. Augsburg started the season 6-0 overall, but saw their conference record drop to 3-9 before winning five of their last six games to earn the final spot in the MIAC Playoffs. Their biggest win down the stretch was a 64-55 home win over Saint Benedict on February 8.
 
Bragging rights
Bethel faces Augsburg College, who earned the No. 6 seed with an 8-10 record during MIAC play, in the quarterfinal round. The Royals topped the Auggies twice this season, which included a 71-64 home win on January 7 and a 68-59 road win on February 11. Taite Anderson recorded a combined 19 points, 17, rebounds, and six assists in the two games played.
 
Pencil in the postseason
Tonight's matchup with Augsburg marks Bethel's fourth consecutive MIAC Playoff appearance, which is the longest postseason stretch for the BU women's basketball program. Not only have the Royals reached four straight, but six in the last seven years. Prior to 2011, Bethel had advanced to the MIAC Playoffs twice since the playoffs began in 2001.
 
Regionally ranked
Bethel is ranked No. 6 in the West Region rankings that came out on February 15. The Royals sit behind St. Thomas (25-0), Puget Sound (24-1), Gustavus (24-1), Wartburg (23-2), and Whitman (21-4), while sitting ahead of George Fox (21-4) and Claremont-Mudd-Scripps (17-8). The region rankings play a huge part in determining who is deserving of an at-large bid to the 2017 NCAA Division III Tournament.
 
Splash sisters
The Royals are ranked No. 1 among all NCAA Division III programs and No. 16 among all NCAA women's basketball programs in 3-point shooting percentage with a season-mark of 38.5 percent. Four of Bethel's top six scorers are shooting 35.0 percent or better. Jasmin Bretoi leads the team from long range, as the junior is 55-of-139 (.396) from outside the arc.
 
Nice shootin' Tex
Not only are the Royals deadly from downtown, but they're also exceptionally efficient from the floor (as a whole). Bethel ranks No. 7 among all Division III programs in field goal percentage with a season mark of 45.9 percent.  BU's top three scorers are all shooting over 50 percent on the season.
 
Double trouble
Hannah Johnson has turned into a double-double machine since the start of the new year. In the first 11 games, Johnson averaged 8.5 points and 6.9 rebounds per game. Since January 4, Johnson has averaged 14.4 points and 10.9 rebounds thanks in part to nine double-doubles in a 14-game period. She's posted seven double-doubles in the last nine games.
 
Block party
Bethel University's women's basketball team has been known to host numerous block parties over the last decade, as the Royals have consistently been ranked among the top programs in total blocks and blocks per game. 2017 is no different, as BU is ranked No. 7 nationwide in blocked shots per game (6.4) and No. 8 in total blocks (160).  Hannah Johnson is ranked No. 15 among all Division III women's basketball players with 3.04 blocks per game.