MINNEAPOLIS—Bethel University's men's basketball team collected a huge road win over Augsburg University Wednesday evening by a final score of 78-67. The Royals (10-3, 5-3 MIAC) shot 53.7 percent from the floor and 40.9 percent from downtown, while also holding the Auggies (11-3, 6-3 MIAC) to just 40.7 percent shooting and 23.1 percent from outside the arc.
 
Matt Ambriz gave BU a huge lift initially, as the junior guard went 3-for-3 outside the arc in the game's first 3:15. His nine points early on gave Bethel an 11-3 lead with 16:45 remaining in the opening frame. Augsburg responded, however, with an 18-7 run over the next 10 minutes, which resulted in a three-point Auggie at the 8:03 mark. The Royals answered, though, outscoring Augsburg 16-0 over the next 5:16, which proved to be the critical moment in Wednesday's road victory. The Auggies trimmed their deficit to two early in the second half, but an 10-2 run for BU with 18:40 left in the game helped the Royals maintain an 6-12 point spread throughout the remainder of the contest.
 
Matt Ambriz's hot start was indicative of the entire night. The Woodbury, Minn., native finished 7-of-11 from the floor, 5-of-7 from long range, and 5-of-6 from the foul stripe for 24 points, two rebounds, and two assists. Meanwhile, Riley Dearring gave his squad another solid performance off the bench with 13 points and three boards.
 
Jack Jenson, Bridgeport Tusler, Granger Kingland, and Tim Hanson, all stuffed the stat sheet as Jenson manufactured 12 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and two steals, Tusler composed 10 points, seven boards, and six assists, Kingland tallied seven points, six rebounds, and two steals, and Hanson gathered six points, four boards, and four assists.
 
BU out-rebounded Augsburg 34-29 and outscored the Auggies 19-2 in total bench points.
 
Bethel's week continues Saturday with a home matinee against Gustavus Adolphus College. The Royals and Gusties, who are scheduled to play their first game of the season, will tip off at 1 p.m. with the women's contest to follow.