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Don Stoner

Polta leads Augsburg to 81-56 win over Bethel

BOXSCORE

ARDEN HILLS, Minn. -- Cory Polta (SO, Spring Lake Park, Minn.) posted the first double-double of his career as he led Augsburg College to a 81-56 win over Bethel University in Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference action on Wednesday night at Bethel's Robertson Center.

Augsburg (17-7 overall, 12-7 MIAC) was led by Polta's 11-point, 13-rebound effort, which included a 5-for-7 shooting performance from the field. Also scoring in double figures for the Auggies was Jon Cassens (SR, Prior Lake, Minn.) and David Olson (SR, Lindstrom, Minn./Chisago Lakes HS). Cassens finished with a game-high 19 points and five assists, while Olson finished with 14 points, three rebounds and two steals.

Bethel (11-13 overall, 7-12 MIAC) was led by Nate Robertson, who finished with a 14-point, 10-rebound double double, leading the Royals in both scoring and rebounding.

After taking a 33-29 lead into the locker room at the intermission, the Auggies came out and shot a blistering 60.0 percent (18-of-30) in the second half to pull away from the Royals. Polta scored all 11 of his points for the Auggies in the second half and chipped in five offensive boards as Augsburg cruised to a 81-56 win.

For the game, Augsburg shot 53.7 percent (29-of-54), while holding Bethel to just 34.4 percent (22-of-64). The Auggies claimed a 37-31 advantage on the boards and outscored the Royals 30-22 in points in the paint.

With the win, Augsburg eclipses the 17-win mark for the first time in the past decade and posts the best team record since the 1998-99 season when the Auggies finished 24-4 and won the MIAC title.

Augsburg returns to action on Friday (2/19) with a important MIAC contest against St. Mary's University. Augsburg has already clinched one of the six MIAC playoff berths but will not find out which seed they earn until after the conclusion of this weekends contests. For the most up-to-date playoff information go to www.miac-online.org
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