The MIAC conference season opened tonight with 5 men's and 1 women's game but, as it happens, the only game between 2 teams with winning records was that women's opener--Bethel at Augsburg. Both are expected to reach the MIAC playoffs, based on the coaches pre-season poll, and the 2 teams played nip-and-tuck all night long. It took an Arianna Jones (Osseo) steal and assist to Tamira McLemore for a fast break basket with just 10 seconds remaining for the Auggies to outlast Bethel 70-68. Both teams made and missed FT for the final score but it was Jones' play that sealed the deal.
Bethel outshot Augsburg 46-42 percent from the field but the Auggies got 7 more FG attempts based on 7 more offensive rebounds and 4 fewer turnovers. Quantity turned out to be better than quality on this night. Augsburg had a 30-16 edge in points off turnovers and a 16-9 edge in 2nd chance points.
Bethel led 17-9 after 1 quarter, but Augsburg won the next 2 periods 21-15 and 22-13 to take a 52-45 lead into the 4th. Bethel roared back to lead 65-61 at 2:21 as Augsburg turned it over 5 times in about 5:30. But Bethel turned it over twice in the final 1:37, the second one leading to the winning points. Taite Anderson missed a tying FT at :06, then missed a pair of FT that could have tied it at :01.
That's too bad, because Anderson was the best player on the floor with 25 points on 7-of-17 shooting, 8 boards and 4 assists. She was 10-of-12 FT before missing the last 3. Bethel was hampered by Hannah Johnson's foul trouble. She finished with 9 points and 8 boards, both below her averages.
McLemore matched Anderson with 25 points on 7-of-18 shooting, with 9 rebounds. Jones had 10 points, 7 boards, 3 assists and 3 steals, including the game winner.
Player of the Day--Anders Nelson, freshman guard for the St. Thomas men, continued his stellar play in an easy win over Macalester
Team of the Day--Augsburg women
Coach of the Day--Jim Hayes, Hamline men, got over .500 with a win over Gustavus
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