SAN JUAN, P.R. – The Augsburg University men's basketball team wrapped up play at the 2023 Puerto Rico Clasico on Wednesday afternoon, dropping a hard-fought 84-77 decision to Albright College (Pa.).

THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Albright 84, Augsburg 77
LOCATION: Coliseo Mario Morales, San Juan, Puerto Rico  
RECORDS: Augsburg 3-8 overall, Albright 6-3 overall

HOW IT HAPPENED
• Each team took turns holding the lead with 15 lead changes in the first half, but it was Albright holding a 37-36 edge as the teams headed to the locker rooms at halftime.
• Augsburg managed to regain the lead at 42-41 in the opening minutes of the second half, but it proved to be just the first of 15 additional lead changes throughout the half. Tied at 73 each with just over two minutes remaining, the Lions managed a stronger finish as they closed the game on an 11-4 run to earn the seven-point win.
• The Auggies were outshot by the Lions 50.9% (28-of-55) to 58.5% (31-of-53), but won the battle on the glass 28-21, including an 8-2 edge in offensive boards that led to a 10-0 advantage in second chance points.
• Augsburg's offensive effort proved to be one of its most balanced of the season thus far with nine players scoring points and four finishing in double figures. Colin Meade (SR, Rochester, Minn./Lourdes HS) and Will Blascziek (JR, Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville North HS) finished atop the scoresheet with 18 points each on 5-of-8 and 6-of-13 shooting from the floor, respectively. Meade added four rebounds and two steals while Blascziek contributed three rebounds, three assists, and three steals.
• Trent Gomez (FY, Two Harbors, Minn./Two Harbors HS) scored 10 points with two rebounds, two assists, and a steal while Isaac Rabaey (JR, Hastings, Minn./Hastings HS) added 10 points, a block, and a steal.
• Jalen Dearring (JR, Minneapolis, Minn./Hopkins HS) led the bench in scoring with nine points while Austin Jentzen (SR, Brooklyn Park, Minn. St. Michael-Albertville HS) led the team with eight rebounds coming off the bench.

FOR THE FOES
• Robert Magnum paced the Lions with 15 points on 6-of-12 shooting, also adding three rebounds.

UP NEXT
• The Auggies will return to Minnesota Intercollegiate Conference action when they travel to face Saint Mary's University on Wednesday, January 3 at 7 pm.