MINNEAPOLIS – The Bethel University men's basketball team won a thriller at Augsburg University with its own version of a Minneapolis miracle. With the score tied and 3.9 seconds left in regulation,
Zach Doely went the length of the court off the inbound as his floater in the lane sank in with time expiring and giving BU an 81-79 MIAC opening win.
With 18 seconds left, Bethel took a two-point led as
Emmanuel Schmitter's jumper went in off the glass. Ausgburg drew a foul on the other end moments later hitting both free throws evening it up at 79 setting up the late game dramatics.
In a game that saw five ties and 13 lead changes, Bethel (1-2, 1-0 MIAC) shot 51.6 percent from the field while Augsburg shot 50.9 percent.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Half
• Augsburg raced out to a 12-2 lead through the first three and half minutes until BU went on a 7-0 run cutting the deficit to three.
• Back-to-back threes from Peyton Thomsen and
Nick Burke got the Royals within one before a jumper from
Gabe Siler game BU its first lead of the night at 17-16 with 11:32 to go in the half.
• Each team would have extensive runs over the next seven minutes of the game. Augsburg with a 10-0 run taking the lead before BU responded with an 11-0 run.
• The Royals went into the break down 41-39 despite shotting 50 percent behind the arc and 51.7 percent from the field.
Second Half
• Augsburg led was as big as seven in the second half until the Royal took a one-point lead with 13:28 to go on a steal by
Caden Boettcher and layup by
Gabe Siler on the other end.
• The Royals lead grew as large as seven twice with under five to go.
• It was a one possession game the remaining 3:08 which saw four lead changes and three ties.
• Siler took a charge with just over a minute left as Doely turned it into points on the other end to go up 77-76 with 43 seconds left. Augsburg hit one of two free throws on the other to tie it before the late game dramatics.
• The Royals had three players foul out in the final 3:08 including Thomsen who picked up his fifth at that mark.
KEY PERFORMERS
•
Payton Thomsen ended with a game-high 28 points shooting 10-of-17 from the field.
•
Zach Doely cashed in an 18-point, 12-rebound double-double.
•
Caden Boettcher finished with 13 points.
UP NEXT
The Royals close out a three-game road stretch on Wednesday, Nov. 29 at Hamline with a 7 p.m. tipoff.
