MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. -- The Augsburg University women's basketball team dropped its season opener to Bethany Lutheran College 76-59 in nonconference action on Wednesday evening at Si Melby Hall.

THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Bethany Lutheran def. Augsburg 76-59
LOCATION: Si Melby Hall, Minneapolis, Minn.
RECORDS: Augsburg 0-1 overall, Bethany Lutheran 2-0 overall

HOW IT HAPPENED
• The Auggies hung tight with the Vikings early in the game, holding a 21-10 advantage with a minute remaining in the first quarter. The Vikings responded in the late stages of the first quarter and the early portion of the second frame, going on an 11-0 run to tie the game at 21-21.
• The game remained close through the second quarter with Bethany Lutheran leading 31-27 at the half.
• The Vikings extended their lead in the third as they entered the final quarter up 61-49 and finished out the game strong in the fourth to cruise to a 76-59 win.
• Augsburg capitalized on turnovers throughout the game, cashing in 20 points off-turnovers to the Vikings' 13.
• Jaley Coplin (JR, Shakopee, Minn./Shakopee HS) was dominant for the Auggies, notching a career-high 22 points on 8-20 shooting from the floor and 5-11 from deep. Coplin also contributed six rebounds, three steals, two assists, and a block in the game.
• Kalena Myers (SO, Burnsville, Minn./Apple Valley HS) also reached double-digits in scoring as she recorded 14 points, to go along with two steals and two rebounds. Jen Masello (SR, Darien, Ill./Downers Grove South HS) added eight points and led the Auggies with 12 rebounds and four steals.
• Katie Manecke (SO, Shoreview, Minn./Mounds View HS) and Grace Eastman (JR, St. Francis, Minn./St. Francis HS) scored five and four points for the Auggies, respectively.

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE
• Wednesday's game marked the first-ever meeting between the Auggies and the Vikings with Bethany Lutheran now holding the 1-0 series advantage.

 FOR THE FOES
• The Vikings were led by a dominant performance from Hanna Geistfeld, as she led all players with 30 points on 13-22 shooting from the floor to go along with nine rebounds, six assists, and a steal.  
• Ashley Schindele and Sara Kottke also had strong nights for Bethany Lutheran, notching 14 and 10 points, respectively.

UP NEXT
• Augsburg returns to action on Saturday (11/13) at 2 p.m. with a road matchup against the University of Chicago.