ST. PAUL, Minn -- The Augustana Vikings men's basketball team hit the road for the first time on Friday, Nov. 14, to battle the Bethel Royals to begin their weekend in Minnesota. 

The Vikings enter the contest with a 1-0 record after winning their season opener at home against Wisconsin Lutheran. Augie kicked off the momentum fast, with Staishaun Kelley collecting the first basket of the game. The teams remained neck-and-neck throughout the first quarter, with Augustana taking the lead five times before the Warriors drew the score even after two free throws with 40 seconds remaining in the half. The Vikings shot 46.7 percent in the first half and connected on six three-pointers while also converting 12 points in the paint compared to the Warriors' eight in the paint.

Returning to the court, with the teams being in a 41-41 deadlock, the Vikings would come out scoring to quickly regain the lead after shots by Marieon Anderson and Dani Romero. Augustana kept the tempo to create a six-point cushion after shots by Kelley. Romero then pushed the gap to eight, before Kelley and Anderson secured shots in the pain to lead by 10 at 64-54. The visitors would get within four points; however, Andre Klaver made a shot from deep before Jake Williems tipped in a shot to stretch the difference to 74-65. Later, Cameron Atkinson pushed the gap to 12 from behind the arc with the Vikings never letting up to seal the 90-73 victory. 

Five different athletes scored double-digits in the win, with Kelley leading with 16 points. Klaver followed with 15 points, while Willems had 13 and Atkinson had 12. Ray Maurchie notched a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds, and Romero had five assists. 

Bethel owns a 1-0 record after securing a 89-86 victory over North Central (Minn.) on Nov. 8. The teams saw seven lead changes in the first half until 25-25 when the Royals obtained the sole advantage. Bethel followed with an 18-11 run to close the frame with a 45-36 score after 20 minutes of play. Their opponents shrunk the differential down to two with 17 seconds remaining, but the team was fouled twice, where they sank three free throw attempts and secured the victory. Nick Burke led the team with a game-high of 24 points, while Adam Mattes added 19, with three assists and a block. Jack Charbonneau notched a team-best of six rebounds, as well as 15 points on a perfect 6-of-6 shooting off the bench. 

Friday will be the second time both teams will meet, with Augustana winning the lone game a season ago in December at home by a score of 83-51. In the game, Maurchie led with 16 points, while Kelley notched seven steals. 

Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.