BOXSCORE

MANKATO, Minn. -- Cory Polta (JR, Spring Lake Park, Minn./Spring Lake Park HS) and Matthew Quammen (SR, Victoria, Minn./Holy Family HS) led the Augsburg College men's basketball team to an 81-72 nonconference victory over Bethany Lutheran College on Saturday afternoon at Ronald Younge Gymnasium.  

Polta scored a career-high 23 points, on 8-of-12 shooting from the floor, while adding 11 rebounds, marking his second double-double of the season to lead Augsburg (6-3 overall, 1-3 MIAC). Quammen recorded 18 points, while posting a game-high six assists for the Auggies, while Andy Grzesiak-Grimm (JR, Wyoming, Minn./St. Francis HS) scored 12 points and six rebounds.

Bethany Lutheran (3-6 overall) was led by Alex Weldon, who scored 17 points, two rebounds and two steals.

The Auggies outscored the Vikings 21-8 over the first 6:15 of play but Bethany countered with an 11-0 run to take a 22-21 at the 9:24 mark. The two teams traded baskets for the remainder of the half, and the Vikings headed into the locker room with a 41-40 lead at the intermission.

Augsburg was able extend its lead back to double-digits at the 9:15 mark when Eren Cur (SO, Plymouth, Minn./Wayzata HS) hit a free throw to put Augsburg up 63-53. The Vikings cut the Augsburg lead to four with just under two minutes to play but Augsburg was able to hold on for the victory.

For the game, Augsburg shot 48 percent (25-of-52), while Bethany converted on 42 percent (26-of-62) from the field. The Auggies claimed a 36-33 advantage on the boards, while turnovers were identical at 11-11.

Augsburg is idle for the Holiday break and will return to action on Monday, Jan. 3 when it hosts St. Olaf College in Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference action at Si Melby Hall.