MINNEAPOLIS – With four starters scoring in double figures, the Augsburg University women's basketball team opened its 2024-25 campaign with a 67-61 nonconference victory over Bethany Lutheran College on Wednesday evening at Si Melby Hall.

THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Augsburg 67, Bethany Lutheran 61
LOCATION: Si Melby Hall, Minneapolis
RECORDS: Augsburg 1-0 overall, Bethany Lutheran 1-1 overall

HOW IT HAPPENED
• Augsburg jumped out to a 10-2 lead in the opening 3:45 of play, a lead that expanded to as many as 13 points late in the first quarter. Augsburg led by 10 points at the half, 34-24, after shooting 46.9 percent (15-of-32) from the field in the first half.
• The Auggies held an 11-point lead with 2:45 left in the third quarter, but Bethany Lutheran went on a 13-1 run to take a 48-47 advantage with 9:25 left in the fourth quarter. The Vikings led 60-58 with 5:10 left, but Augsburg scored nine of the last 10 points in the contest, with Amira LaDuke (JR, Cass Lake, Minn./Cass Lake-Bena HS) scoring five points in the final stretch.
• Augsburg connected on 46.0 percent (29-of-63) from the field in the game -- including 9-of-16 (56.3 percent) in the first quarter and 9-of-15 (60.0 percent) in the fourth quarter. Meanwhile, Bethany Lutheran hit 35.6 percent (21-of-59) from the field in the game. 
• LaDuke scored 13 points, adding four rebounds, three steals and a blocked shot. Wakinyela Bear (JR, Morrison, Colo./Meskwaki (Iowa) HS) scored 13 points with six rebounds, four assists and a block. 
• Katie Manecke (SR, Shoreview, Minn./Mounds View HS) scored 10 points with five rebounds, and Lani Fonoti (FY, Cloquet, Minn./Cloquet HS) scored 10 points in her college debut, adding five rebounds, four assists and a block.
• Post player Emma Kanz (JR, Brooklyn Park, Minn./Maple Grove HS), a transfer from Iowa Lakes Community College, scored eight points on 4-of-5 shooting with four rebounds. Saylor Gallagher (SO, Mounds View, Minn./Irondale HS) scored six points with six rebounds and five assists.

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE
• The game marked the first coaching victory for new Augsburg head coach Mallie Doucette.
 
FOR THE FOES
• Gianna Klarenbeek scored 16 points with six rebounds, and Aubrea Kor scored 14 points with two assists and two steals for Bethany Lutheran.
• Juliana Ewald scored 11 points with five rebounds, and Kenadi Arndt scored six points with five rebounds. 
 
UP NEXT
• Augsburg travels to face Division II Southwest Minnesota State on Saturday (11/16) at 2 p.m. in Marshall, Minn.