ARDEN HILLS, Minn.—Nothing can explain the level of intensity that comes with playoff basketball. Wednesday night's quarterfinal between No. 3-seeded Bethel University and No. 6-seeded Augsburg College was proof of that as the two teams endured a gut-wrenching battle until the very end. In the end, it was the Royals (22-4) that outlasted the Auggies (15-11) by a final score of 70-56 and advanced to the MIAC semifinals against No. 2-seeded Gustavus Adolphus College on Friday night.
 
BU trailed Augsburg 35-30 one minute into the second half, but a 16-3 run over the next four minutes gave the Royals a 46-38 lead that they would never relinquish. The Auggies trimmed Bethel's advantage to four with 8:56 remaining in the game, but BU never let the margin get any closer and separated themselves down the stretch.
 
Wednesday's victory wasn't statistically pretty for the Royals, as they shot just 28.6 percent from downtown and 44.4 percent from the foul line. But Bethel was extremely efficient when attempting 2-pointers, shooting 51.0 percent from the floor and 66.6 percent from inside the arc. Where BU also made a huge difference was on the glass, outrebounding Augsburg 47-34.
 
Abby Miller was unconscious, as the junior guard was 10-of-15 from the floor, 4-of-7 from downtown, and 4-of-6 from the free throw line for a game-high 28 points, to go along with six rebounds, and three steals. Three of her four 3-pointers helped BU put together the 16-3 run early in the second half.
 
Hannah Johnson continued her double-double terror Wednesday, as she finished the postseason affair with 16 points, 13 rebounds, and five blocks. Shanni Moorse posted nine points, six boards, two assists, and two blocks, while Taite Anderson added eight points, 11 rebounds, and two dimes.
 
The Royals now advance to the MIAC semifinals, where they'll travel to St. Peter, Minn., on Friday night to take on No. 2-seed Gustavus at 7 p.m.. The No. 13-ranked Gusties defeated Bethel in Arden Hills by a final score of 62-58 on January 11. The winner of that game will play in the MIAC championship Sunday at 1 p.m.