MINNEAPOLIS – The Carleton College men's basketball team saw its four-game win streak snapped as the Knights absorbed their first conference loss of the season, falling 88-69 at MIAC-leader Augsburg University.
 
Carleton (4-2, 2-1 MIAC) led for most of the opening 11 minutes, and the score was knotted 26-26 with six minutes remaining until intermission. Augsburg (5-1, 4-0 MIAC) closed the opening stanza with a 15-6 run and carried a 41-32 advantage into the break.
 
The hosts slowly widened their lead as they started second half on 22-12 run. The margin was at least 12 points the rest of the way. Augsburg did the majority of its damage thanks to its long-range shooting, making 17 shots from beyond the arc. That total is one off the Auggies' single-game record and the most an opponent has made against Carleton over at least the last 17 seasons.
 
Joe Palmer led the way for Augsburg, finishing with a game and career-high 31 points, thanks to seven 3-pointers.
 
Three players finished in double figures for the Knights, who shot 45 percent as a team but were only 5-of-18 (28 percent) from long range.
 
Jeremy Beckler (Jr./Lino Lakes, Minn./White Bear Lake) made a season-best four 3-pointers and poured in 28 points to lead Carleton. It is the second-highest point total of his career and the most he has scored in a conference game.
 
Alex Battist (Sr./Maple Grove, Minn./Maple Grove) bounced back with a 16-point effort, thanks to 7-of-12 shooting. He had a team-best six rebounds, including four offensive boards.
 
Luke Harris (Fy./Piedmont, Calif./Piedmont) reached double figures for the fourth time this season, tallying 12 points to go along with four assists.
 
Up Next for the Knights
Carleton hosts Martin Luther College for a 7:00 p.m. non-conference contest on Tuesday, Dec. 7.