MINNEAPOLIS -- Abbey Luger (SR, Oakdale, Minn./North St. Paul HS) led the Augsburg College women's basketball team with 24 points in hard fought 71-65 loss to Bethel University in Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference action on Saturday afternoon.

THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Augsburg College 65, Bethel University 71
LOCATION: Si Melby Hall, Minneapolis
RECORDS: Augsburg 2-4 MIAC (7-6 overall), Bethel 3-3 MIAC (9-3 overall)

HOW IT HAPPENED
• Bethel grabbed an early lead but the Auggies fought their way back and used a pair of Luger 3-pointers to take a 22-21 advantage with just over five minutes to play in the first-half. Augsburg was able to stretch its lead to as many as eight but a Royal 3-pointer in the final 10 seconds to cut the Augsburg lead to 33-28 at the intermission.
• Augsburg led for the majority of the second half but Bethel was able to tie things up with 59 seconds to play and scored the final six points to claim the win.
• Luger finished with 24 points on 7-of-12 shooting, her second 20-plus point performance of the season. She also added eight rebounds, five steals and an assist.
• Also finishing in double figures for the Auggies was Jessica Lillquist (JR, Sebeka, Minn./Sebeka HS) and Bridget Bednar (FY, Pierz, Minn./Pierz HS), who finished with 12 points and five boards apiece. Jenna Orth (JR, Melrose, Minn./Melrose HS) added 11 points, five assists and five rebounds.
• For the game, Augsburg shot 38.8 percent (19-of-49) from the field and connected on a season-high 23 free throws on 28 attempts.
• Augsburg claimed a 42-31 advantage on the boards and led for 22:15 of the game.
• Despite outshooting and outrebounding their opponent, the difference in the game came down to turnovers. Augsburg committed a season-high 26 turnovers, which Bethel converted into 35 points.

FOR THE FOES
• The Royals finished with three players in double figures. Hannah Niewald led the way offensively with 16 points, while Kallie Zimmermann put up a solid afternoon with 10 points, nine rebounds, five steals, four assits and three blocked shots.
• For the game, Bethel shot 36.2 percent (21-of-58) from the field and was able to outscore the Auggies 30-20 in points in the paint and 20-6 in bench scoring.

UP NEXT
• Augsburg and Bethel both return to action on Wednesday (1/14) -- the Auggies host St. Olaf College, while Bethel hosts Macalester College. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.