BOXSCORE BOXSCORE

ARDEN HILLS, Minn. -- Despite a career-high 20-point effort from Brittany Zins (JR, Bloomington, Minn./Kennedy HS), the Augsburg College women's basketball team dropped a tough 66-57 loss to Bethel University in Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference action on Monday night at the Robertson Center Gym.

In a hard fought contest that saw 16 lead changes and eight tied scores, Bethel was able to hit 7-of-8 from the free-throw line in the final 50 seconds to claim the victory over the Auggies. With the loss, Augsburg falls to 3-1 overall (2-1 MIAC), while Bethel moves to 5-1 overall (3-0 MIAC).

Zins converted on an impressive 9-of-10 from the floor, while adding five rebounds, two assists and a steal. MIAC Player of the Week Serenae Levine (SR, Eden Prairie, Minn.) scored 16 points for the Auggies, while Lexi Thompson (SR, St. Michael, Minn./St. Michael-Albertville HS) finished with eight points, six rebounds, and a game-high three steals.

Bethel was led by Taylor Sheley, who scored her 1,000th-career point in the Royals game on Saturday, and finished the night with a game-high 26 points.

In a game that was matched in nearly every statistical category, it's no suprise that things came down to the final few minutes. Augsburg led 49-48 with 7:48 to play, thanks to a jumper by Kendra Ware (SO, Brooklyn Park, Minn./Osseo HS). Bethel was able to string together an 8-0 run before the Auggies could put together a 6-0 run of their own to bring the score to 59-57 in favor of the Royals with just 54 seconds to play. Augsburg was not able to convert on its final two possessions and was forced to foul the Royals. Bethel converted on 6-of-6 from the free throw line in the final 30 seconds to hang on for the win.

For the game, Augsburg shot a season-high 48.9 percent (23-of-47), outshooting the Royals who converted on 45.8 percent (22-of-48) of their shots. Bethel claimed a narrow 26-24 advantage on the boards but was able to convert on 20-of-26 from the charity stripe, while Augsburg only was able to convert on 11-of-18.

Augsburg and Bethel both return to action on Wednesday (12/7) at 7:30 p.m., with Augsburg hosting Gustavus Adolphus College and Bethel traveling to Northfield to take on Carleton College.