ARDEN HILLS, Minn. – The Augsburg University men's basketball team took on Bethel University in Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play on Monday evening, falling 77-65 at the Robertson Center.

THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Bethel 77, Augsburg 65
LOCATION: Robertson Center, Arden Hills, Minn.
RECORDS: Augsburg 6-14 overall (4-11 MIAC), Bethel 8-12 overall (6-9 MIAC)

HOW IT HAPPENED
• Augsburg held a narrow lead for most of the opening minutes, clinging to a 16-15 advantage nearly nine minutes into the game. The teams went blow-for-blow in the following minutes with five lead changes before Bethel finally managed to take control and work out to a 40-32 lead at halftime.
• An 11-3 run by the Auggies early in the second half pulled them within five points, but the Royals quickly regrouped to push the advantage back to double digits and held it there for the remainder of the game.
• Will Blascziek (SO, Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville North HS) finished as the scoring leader for the Auggies with 14 points, seven rebounds, and a steal. Colin Meade (JR, Rochester, Minn./Lourdes HS) was just behind him with 13 points and three rebounds while Conner Knoepfle (SR, Andover, Minn./Andover HS) tallied 11 points and four rebounds.
• The Royals narrowly outshot the Auggies in the game with a 27-58 (46.6%) performance while Augsburg was 27-60 (45.0%). Augsburg managed to outmuscle the Royals down low with a 44-36 advantage in the paint and held a 7-0 scoring advantage on fast-break opportunities.

FOR THE FOES
• Zach Doely led both teams with 25 points on 11-15 shooting and Avery Mast added 20 points on 7-12 shooting.

UP NEXT
• The Auggies will return home to host the College of St. Scholastica at Si Melby Hall on Wednesday, February 1 at 7 pm.