Box ScoreJoey Ryan scored a career-high 18 points to help lead Augustana to a 68-53 victory over Southwest Minnesota State and a sweep of two games at the U.S. Bancorp/McDonald's Classic Saturday night in Marshall, Minn.
Ryan, named the Classic's MVP, scored 11 of his 18 points in the first half as Augustana (4-4) led 42-20 at halftime. The Vikings, who defeated Upper Iowa 79-68 Friday in their first game of the Classic, shot 67 percent (14-for-21) in the first half, while limiting SMSU (3-3) to 20 percent (5-for-25) shooting.
The Vikings stretched their lead to 27 points at 48-21 with 16:19 left in the game before the Mustangs made a charge. Southwest Minnesota State managed to trim the deficit to single digits at 56-48 with 5:08 to play, but that would be as close as the Mustangs would come.
Ryan knocked down a 3-pointer and a pair of free throws help push the lead back to double figures. The Vikings also made 7 of 8 free throws in the final 2:12 to secure the win.
Two other Vikings joined Ryan in double figures.
Nick Olson, who was also named to the all-tournament team, and
Excell Hardy each scored 11 points. Hardy also grabbed a team-high 6 rebounds.
The Vikings will be in action again on Wednesday when they travel to Winona State for an 8 p.m. game.
