NORTHFIELD, Minn. - Thanks to 23 points from Jeremy Beckler (Sr./Lino Lakes, Minn./White Bear Lake), the Carleton College men's basketball team defeated Augsburg University, 71-59, in West Gym.

"We got a couple of consecutive defensive stops to open up the second half which was key for us coming out of the halftime break," said Carleton head coach Ryan Kershaw. "Overall, we did a much better job taking care of the basketball, and we generated good offensive possessions throughout the second half. The guys did a nice job protecting the paint defensively, and we kept them off the glass which were two big points of emphasis heading into the game. I'm proud of the team for putting together a nice bounce back win."
 
The Knights (15-3, 10-3 MIAC) and Auggies (6-12, 4-9 MIAC) both stumbled out of the gate, with only 10 points scored between the two teams seven minutes into the game. An Augsburg three gave the visitors a 9-4 lead, which would be their largest of the game. Down 13-8, the Knights rode four straight three-balls to a 20-20 tie with 7:33 to play. The final seven minutes of the first half saw twice as many collective points scored as the opening seven minutes, and the home team led 31-29 at the halftime break.
 
Carleton utilized three straight defensive stops to open the second half towards extending its lead to seven, but the Auggies fought back and a layup five minutes into the period gave the lead back to Augsburg, 40-38. A Matt Banovetz (Jr./Minneapolis, Minn./Academy of Holy Angels) triple began another run of four straight threes by the Knights, including a high bouncer off the rim by Matt Wyffels (Sr./Lino Lakes, Minn./Centennial). Beckler capped what eventually became a 14-1 run with a layup. The Knights maintained at least an eight-point lead the remainder fo the contest.
 
This was Beckler's 11th performance of at least 20 points this season and the 26th such showing of his career. He moved into 15th on Carleton's all-time scoring list and now has 1,200 career points.

Luke Harris (So./Piedmont, Calif./Piedmont) and Alex Gibbens (Jr./New Canaan, Conn./New Canaan) joined Becklerm in double figures, with each adding at least four rebounds and four assists. Spencer Goetz (So./Chaska, Minn./Chaska) contributed his second-straight game with four steals, while Banovetz had eight points, seven boards, a steal, and a pair of emphatic blocks. Wyffels and Beck Page (Sr./Longmont, Colo./Longmont) each nailed a pair of threes off the bench.
 
Kayser Hassan was the only Auggie in double figures thanks to a 3-of-5 night beyond the arc. Will Blascziek, Augburg's leading scorer this season, was held to nine points on 3-of-13 shooting.

After missing 12 of its first 14 shots, Carleton shot 56 percent the rest of the way. The Knights made at least 11 triples for the ninth time this season.
 
Up Next for the Knights
Carleton next plays host to Saint Mary's University on Saturday, Jan. 28. The doubleheader begins with the men's game at 1:00 p.m.