MINNEAPOLIS. – The Bethel University men's basketball team held a six-point lead at the break over Augsburg before the Auggies shot over 50 percent in the final 20 minutes downing the Royals, 76-60.
 
A tale of two halves offensively for the Royals saw them shoot 40 percent in the first half while being held to 26.7 percent in the second half. BU finished 33.8 percent (22-of-65) for the game compared to Augsburg's 44.1 percent (30-of-68)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Half
• The Royals faced their largest deficit of the half at 13-4 with 13:35 to go until the break.
• An 8-0 run sparked by a 3-pointer from Josh Hoffman and ending with a three from Tommy Jensen pulled them within 13-12 two minutes later.
• Payton Thomsen gave BU its first lead of the night drawing a foul on a three-point attempt and making all three free chances halfway through the first.
• The margin got no bigger than six as the Royals led 39-33 at the half.
 
Second Half
• Augsburg asserted its dominance in the paint early using a 14-2 lead to regain the lead at 47-41.
• A dunk by Zach Doely got BU within 47-43 with 14:12 remaining, but the Royals would not get any closer than that.
• The Royals only turned it over seven times in the second half, but struggled to get shots to fall. Three of their eight makes in the half came from behind the arc.  
 
KEY PERFORMERS
• Josh Hoffman off the bench provided a team-high 14 points on 5-of- 9 shooting. 10 of those points came in the opening half.
• Zach Doely recorded his second straight double-double with 13 points and matching a career-high 16 rebounds.
 
UP NEXT
The Royals are back on the road Wednesday, Nov. 30 traveling down Snelling to Hamline for a 7 p.m. tip.   Read Full Article