BOXSCORE MINNEAPOLIS - Brittany Zins (JR, Bloomington, Minn./Kennedy HS) scored a career-high 27 points to lead the Augsburg College women's basketball team to a key 55-52 victory over Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference rival Bethel University on Wednesday night at Si Melby Hall.

With the win, Augsburg moves to 10-7 overall (7-7 MIAC) while Bethel falls to 10-7 overall (8-6 MIAC). The Auggies have now reached the 10-win mark for the first time since 2000-01 season, when they finished 11-13 overall. With eight games remaining in the regular season, Augsburg has a chance to set the record for most wins (14) in a single season in school history since the varsity era (1972-73).

Zins finished the contest with career-highs in points and steals. She recorded 27 points, nine rebounds and a game-high six steals, while connecting on 15-of-20 from the free-throw line. Lexi Thompson (SR, St. Michael, Minn./St. Michael-Albertville HS) recorded a career-high four blocked shots to go along with two points and two rebounds. Brittany Dyshaw (SR, Eagan, Minn./Eagan HS) finished with eight points and Serenae Levine  (SR, Eden Prairie, Minn./Eden Prairie HS) pulled down seven rebounds.

Bethel was led by the duo of Alicia Montbraind and Taylor Sheley. Montbraind connected on 3-of-4 from beyond the arc in the second-half on her way to a 14-point six-rebound night, while Sheley scored all of her 11 points in the first-half.

Despite being out-shot and out-rebounded, the Auggies found a way to keep the Bethel offense out of its rythm on the defensive side of the ball and were able to get to the free-throw line offensively to seal the win. The contest saw 13 tied scores, 13 lead changes and neither team lead by more than six points.

Zins converted a layup at the 2:22 mark to tie the game at 52-52. The Auggies hit 2-of-4 from the free throw line over the next two minutes, while holding the Royals scoreless to lead 54-52 with just 22 seconds to play. Augsburg forced a Bethel turnover with 12 seconds remaining and sent Zins to the line to shoot the double bonus. Zins hit 1-of-2 and the Auggie defense held as they didn't allow Bethel to get off a final shot, earning the 55-52 win.

For the game, Augsburg shot 30.8 percent (16-of-52) from the floor, while the Royals connected on 38.3 percent (18-of-47) of their shots. The Royals claimed a 38-35 advantage on the boards but committed 24 turnovers which Augsburg converted into 27 points. Augsburg was also able to claim a significant advantage at the free-throw line, connecting on 21-of-30, while the Royals finished 12-of-15.

Augsburg and Bethel both return to action on Saturday (1/28) with Augsburg making the trip to Moorhead to take on Concordia College, while Bethel plays host to Macalester College.