MINNEAPOLIS -- The Augsburg University women's basketball team was able to pick up an important win in its Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference opener, posting a thrilling 70-68 victory over rival Bethel University on Wednesday night at Si Melby Hall.

THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Augsburg 70, Bethel 68 
LOCATION: Si Melby Hall, Minneapolis, Minn.
RECORDS: Augsburg 5-1 overall (1-0 MIAC), Bethel 3-1 overall (0-1 MIAC)

HOW IT HAPPENED
• The game was an exciting one from start to finish, featuring nine tied scores and 11 lead changes. Augsburg used a key 19-6 run in the third quarter to swing the momentum in favor of the Auggies. Bethel however fought back and took a 67-65 lead with just over a minute to play. Augsburg's Camryn Speese (JR, Bloomington, Minn./DeLaSalle HS) scored a layup on the next possession to tie things up, while the Auggie defense forced a Bethel turnover on the ensuing possession and Tamira McLemore (JR, Eagan, Minn./Eagan HS) scored a layup to give Augsburg a 69-67 lead with nine seconds to play. Augsburg went 1-for-2 from the free throw line, while Bethel converted on 1-for-4 from the charity stripe in the final seconds as the Auggies claimed the important early season victory.
• McLemore had a huge game for Augsburg, scoring a season-high 25 points, while adding nine rebounds and an assist. McLemore finished 7-of-18 from the field and 8-for-11 from the free throw line.
• Also scoring in double figures for Augsburg was Arianna Jones (JR, Brooklyn Park, Minn./Osseo HS), who finished with 10 points, while adding seven rebounds, three assists and three steals. Jazmyn Solseth (SO, Inver Grove Heights, Minn./St. Croix Lutheran HS) added nine points and four rebounds, while Speese added eight points and four rebounds.
• Kaezha Wubben (JR, Minneapolis, Minn./Hopkins HS) dished out a season-best five assists, while picking up a season-high four steals.
• On the boards, Jen Masello (FY, Darien, Ill./Downers Grove South HS) pulled down an Augsburg career-best seven rebounds, while adding four points. Camille McCoy (SR, Brooklyn Park, Minn./Park Center HS) added six rebounds and five points for the Auggies.
• For the game, Augsburg shot 40.7 percent (24-of-59), while Bethel connected on 46.2 percent (24-of-52) of its shot attempts. The Auggies posted a 42-31 advantage on the boards.
• The Auggie defense forced Bethel to commit a season-high 24 turnovers and claimed a 30-16 advantage in points off turnovers. Augsburg also posted a 19-6 advantage in second chance points.

 FOR THE FOES
• MIAC scoring leader Taite Anderson, scored 25 points on a 7-of-17 shooting night to lead the Royal offense, while adding eight rebounds and four assists.
• Makenna Pearson added 11 points for the Royals while recording a game-high three blocked shots.

UP NEXT
• Augsburg returns to action on Saturday (12/1) traveling to Duluth, Minn. to take on the College of Saint Scholastica in nonconference action at 1 p.m.