MINNEAPOLIS -- Jessica Lillquist (SR, Sebeka, Minn./Sebeka HS) hit a layup with five seconds remaining to give the Augsburg College women's basketball team the go-ahead basket and seal a hard-fought 58-56 victory over Bethel University in Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference action on Wednesday evening at Si Melby Hall.

THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Augsburg 58, Bethel 56
LOCATION: Si Melby Hall, Minneapolis
RECORDS: Augsburg 8-6 overall (3-4 MIAC), Bethel 8-6 overall (4-3 MIAC)

HOW IT HAPPENED
• In what was a close contest throughout, with neither team every able to extend its lead to double-digits, the Augsburg defense was able to hold the Bethel offense scoreless over the final 2:30 of play, while the Auggie offense used a pair of layups by Lillquist and a 3-pointer by Allison McKee (SR, New Brighton, Minn./Mounds View HS) to seal the victory.
• The Auggies only led for five seconds in the contest, but it was the right five seconds, as McKee was able to find Lillquist wide open under the basket for the easy bucket. The Royals drove down the court in an attempt to tie the game, but weren't able to get a shot off as Augsburg secured the important MIAC win.
• The win marks the third consecutive MIAC victory for Augsburg and snaps a four-game losing skid to the Royals.
• Offensively, Augsburg was led by an outstanding 23-point effort by Maria Loughlin (SR, Rogers, Minn.), who finished 9-of-18 from the field, while adding three steals and a pair of assists and rebounds.
• McKee, Lillquist and Hannah Steinhaus (SO, Waterville, Minn./Waterville-Elysian-Morristown HS) finished with eight points apiece.
• On the boards, Steinhaus and Bridget Bednar (SO, Pierz, Minn.) led the Auggies with seven rebounds apiece.
• For the game, Augsburg shot 36.7 percent (22-of-60) from the field, while the Royals converted on 42.2 percent (19-of-45) of their shot attempts. Both teams finished with an even 35 rebounds apiece. Augsburg claimed 15-6 advantage in points off turnovers, while Bethel posted a 28-22 advantage in points in the paint.

FOR THE FOES
• Bethel was led offensively by Hannah Niewald, who finished with 14 points on 4-of-5 shooting from the field and 6-of-8 from the free-throw line.
• Kalli Zimmermann led the Royals on the boards, posting a game-high 10 rebounds, while adding seven points and six assists.

UP NEXT
• Augsburg will will return to action on Saturday (1/16), when the Auggies host the College of Saint Benedict at 3 p.m.
• Bethel also returns to action on Saturday, when the Royals host Hamline at 3 p.m.