MINNEAPOLIS -- Booker Coplin (JR, Shakopee, Minn./Shakopee HS) and Matt Carik (SO, Rogers, Minn./Rogers HS) combined to scored 61 points as they led the Augsburg University men's basketball team to an 86-82 Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference victory over rival Bethel University on Wednesday evening at Si Melby Hall.

THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Augsburg 86, Bethel 82
LOCATION: Si Melby Hall, Minneapolis, Minn.
RECORDS: Augsburg 10-3 overall (6-2 MIAC), Bethel 7-6 overall (4-4 MIAC)

HOW IT HAPPENED
• Bethel jumped out to a quick 9-0 lead but the Auggies countered with a 12-2 run to take their first lead at the 12:44 mark. Augsburg was able to close the half on a 8-0 run and took a 41-38 lead into the locker room at the intermission. The Auggies stretched their lead to 17 points mid-way through the second half but Bethel went on a 22-5 run and tied the game at 74 points apiece with 3:22 to play. Augsburg used a pair of Carik free throws to go up 84-78 with just 26 remaining but Bethel hit a three-pointer on its following possession to cut the lead to 84-81. The Royals forced an Augsburg turnover and connected on 1-of-2 free throws to cut the Augsburg lead to just two with seven seconds to play. A pair of Coplin free throws with three seconds remaining sealed the win for Augsburg.
• Booker Coplin (JR, Shakopee, Minn./Shakopee HS) led all players with a 36-point effort. He finished 12-of-20 from the field and a perfect 9-for-9 from the free throw line. Coplin added six rebounds, four assists and a pair of steals.
• In a career-high effort, Matt Carik (SO, Rogers, Minn./Rogers HS) scored 25 points, which included a career-best 7-of-10 effort from three-point range, to go along with six rebounds and five assists, playing all 40 minutes. 
• Also finishing in double figures for Augsburg was Martin Mitchell (JR, Apple Valley, Minn./Eastview HS), who added 10 points on a 4-of-8 shooting night.
• Carter Duncan (JR, Chisago City, Minn./Chisago Lakes HS) provided a key spark for the Auggies, pulling down two offensive rebounds and converting on the put-back in the final 3:02 of the game. He finished the night with six rebounds and four points.
• For the game, Augsburg shot 44.6 percent (29-of-65) from the field, and 40.5 percent (15-of-37) from three point range. The Auggies were a perfect 13-for-13 from the free throw line on the night. Bethel converted on 51.9 percent (28-of-54) of its shot attempts and posted a 37-27 advantage on the boards.
• Augsburg won the turnover battle, forcing 17 Bethel miscues, while only committing nine. The Auggies also posted a 20-7 advantage in points off turnovers.

FOR THE FOES
• Bethel finished with four players in double figures, led by 24 points from Derek Magnuson, who was 9-for-12 from the field.
• Granger Kingland led the Royals on the boards, pulling down a game-high eight rebounds, while adding 15 points.

UP NEXT
• Augsburg returns to action on Saturday (1/12) at 3 p.m., hosting the University of St. Thomas in a key MIAC match-up.
• Bethl also returns to action on Saturday at 3 p.m., traveling to Moorhead, Minn. to take on Concordia College.