MINNEAPOLIS -- Augsburg University defeated Macalester College 102-70 in a Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference men's basketball contest on Saturday at Si Melby Hall. Augsburg established an early lead with a dominant 65-29 first half and maintained control throughout the game. In a remarkable display of teamwork, 16 Augsburg players saw game action, with 15 players contributing to the scoring. The Auggies capitalized on turnovers, scoring 36 points off 29 Macalester turnovers and received a significant contribution from the bench, which added 51 points. Macalester managed to out-rebound the Auggies 41-38, but it was not enough to close the gap.

THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Augsburg 102, Macalester 70
LOCATION: Si Melby Hall, Minneapolis
RECORDS: Augsburg 11-3 overall (4-1 MIAC), Macalester 6-9 overall (1-5 MIAC)

GAME RECAP
Augsburg opened the first half with a strong offensive performance, quickly establishing control. Keenan Rodriguez connected on two rapid 3-pointers, leading an early surge that put Augsburg ahead at 16:03. The Auggies capitalized on turnovers, scoring 25 fast-break points, and their bench added 22 points to the effort. The team shot 63.2 percent from the field, with a 15-assist display, while limiting Macalester to 10-for-29 shooting and forcing 15 turnovers. The Auggies concluded the half with a commanding 65–29 lead.

Augsburg began the first half strongly, taking an early lead with Isaac Rabaey's layup at 19:30, assisted by Rodriguez. Despite Macalester's Noah Hamburge hitting a three-pointer at 19:16, the Auggies quickly regained control. Rodriguez hit back-to-back three-pointers to put Augsburg ahead 8-6 by the 15:32 mark. The Auggies capitalized on the Scots' turnovers, with Hanif Muhammad and Ali Axmed contributing to a 31-12 advantage midway through. Augsburg continued to build their lead, closing the half with a 65-29 advantage, highlighted by a late three-pointer from Gomez at the 13-second mark.

Augsburg maintained their momentum in the second half with a decisive performance. Elias Batala's fast-break dunk at 18:24 and a pair of free throws extended their lead early. Despite a scoring challenge from the Scots, Augsburg's defense capitalized on turnovers, leading to a pivotal 3-pointer by Trent Gomez at 10:45. The Auggies' strong rebounding and defensive pressure, highlighted by Caleb Hadden's block at 8:32, helped sustain their advantage.

Augsburg's offensive consistency, underscored by Aidan Jacobson's 3-pointer at 6:50, further solidified their position. Augsburg maintained their lead in the second half, eventually securing a decisive victory against Macalester. Rabaey energized the home crowd with a fast-break dunk at 18:24, pushing the score to 67-29. Macalester briefly narrowed the gap with a layup by Joaquin Aguillon at 17:18, but the Auggies continued to apply defensive pressure, forcing 14 turnovers throughout the half. Daveion Hart contributed significantly with multiple assists, including one to Jacobson for a three-pointer at 6:50. Macalester's Hamburge hit a three-pointer at 4:15, but Augsburg responded with a layup from MacIntyre Griess in the final seconds, sealing a commanding win.

AUGSBURG PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS
• Elias Batala: 16 points, 6/6 free throws made, 4 rebounds, 2 steals  
• JJ Semanko: 13 points, 6/6 free throws made, 7 rebounds, 5 assists  
• Keenan Rodriguez: 11 points, 3/4 three-pointers made, 3 rebounds  
• Daveion Hart: 12 points, 6/7 free throws made, 3 assists  
• Caleb Hadden: 2 blocks, 2 steals

MACALESTER PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS
• Javier Diaz: 22 points, 9 rebounds, 5/5 free throws made  
• Noah Hamburge: 16 points, 4/9 three-pointers made, 2 steals  
• Noah Shannon: 8 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists  
• Joaquin Aguillon: 4 points, 2 steals, 1 block

UP NEXT
• In their next game, Augsburg will face Saint Mary's University on Wednesday, Jan. 14. The matchup is set for 7 p.m. at Si Melby Hall in Minneapolis.