MINNEAPOLIS -- Hannah Steinhaus (JR, Waterville, Minn./Waterville-Elysian-Morristown HS) led the Augsburg College women's basketball team in an 82-62 Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference opening victory over Hamline University on Wednesday evening at Si Melby Hall.

THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Augsburg 82, Hamline 62
LOCATION: Si Melby Hall, Minneapolis
RECORDS: Augsburg 6-0 overall (1-0 MIAC), Hamline 3-2 overall (0-1 MIAC)

HOW IT HAPPENED
• The high-powered Augsburg offense continued its strong season, scoring 80-plus points for the fourth time in its six games. The Auggies have scored over 75 points in every game this season; Augsburg only scored over 75 points three times all of last season.
• Augsburg never trailed in a fast-faced, scrappy conference-opening game. The big difference in the game came down to rebounding and free throws. The Auggies were able to claim a 51-39 advantage on the boards, and were able to convert on 22-of-29 from the free-throw line, while holding Hamline to 7-of-15 from the charity stripe.
• Steinhaus posted a game- and season-high 17 points on a 6-of-11 shooting night, while adding eight rebounds (six offensive), three steals and a pair of assists.
• Camryn Speese (FY, Bloomington, Minn./DeLaSalle HS) posted her first career double-double, finishing with 12 points and 10 rebounds in just 21 minutes of action. 
• Providing a nice spark off the bench was Arianna Jones (FY, Brooklyn Park, Minn./Osseo HS), who recorded a season-best night with 11 points and seven rebounds, while adding two assists and two steals.
• Aiza Wilson (FY, Minneapolis, Minn./DeLaSalle HS) continued to lead the Auggie offense, dishing out five assists, while adding 10 points and five boards.
• Also finishing in double figures for Augsburg was Tamira McLemore (FY, Eagan, Minn.), who put up 11 points, while adding four rebounds and three assists.
• The Auggies claimed a 24-13 advantage in bench points and a 23-16 advantage in second-chance points.
• The Augsburg defense picked up 11 steals and has now recorded double-digit steals in all but one game this season.
• For the game, Augsburg was held to a season-low 36.5 percent (27-of-74) shooting from the field, while Hamline hit 41.7 percent (25-of-60) of its shot attempts.

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE
• The 6-0 start for the Augsburg women's basketball team is believed to be the best start in program history in the post-Title IX era.
• The Auggies 82.5 points per-game average is currently tops among Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference teams in overall statistics, which is believed to be a first in school history. Augsburg is also leading the MIAC in made three-pointers (62) and three-point field-goal percentage (41.3).

FOR THE FOES
• Chloe Graves led the Pipers with a team-high 14 points, hitting 5-of-12 from the field, while adding seven assists and three rebounds.
• Reilly Geistfeld posted a double-double for Hamline, finishing with 13 points and 10 boards.

UP NEXT
• The Auggies return to action on Saturday (12/3) at 1 p.m., hosting the University of St. Thomas at Si Melby Hall in a men's and women's double-header.
• Hamline also returns to action on Saturday (12/3) at 5:30 p.m., when the Pipers host Bethel University.