Box ScoreBehind a record-setting shooting performance by
Nick Olson, the Augustana men's basketball team cruised to a 108-67 victory over Peru State Tuesday night at the Elmen Center.
The Vikings extended their winning streak to 6 games while improving to 7-1 on the season. It is the team's best start since opening the 1999-2000 season 8-1.
Augustana shot a season-high 67.2 percent (41 of 61) from the field as the Vikings set a season high for points, 3-pointers made (13) and assists (34).
Olson was a key factor in the Vikings' success. He made all 9 of his field goal attempts, including 3 3-pointers. In the process, he established a new school record for single-game field goal percentage, bettering
Jason Garrow's 5-for-5 effort against Northern Iowa in the 1988-89 season.
The first half was close, thanks to Peru State shooting 63 percent (15 of 24) from the field. However, the Vikings began to pull away in the final 6 minutes. Leading 37-32 with 5:55 before the half, Augustana closed out the half with a 14-5 run to take a 51-37 lead into the locker room.
Augustana blew the game open early in the second half. The Vikings made 4 of their first 5 field goals, while the Bobcats were only 1 of 5 from the field. That resulted in Augustana opening the half with a 23-2 run, including 20 straight points to end the outburst, to make the score 74-39 with 13 minutes to play. Olson fueled the rally with 6 points.
Augustana received contributions up and down its lineup as all 11 players scored and 10 of the 11 had at least 1 assist.
Olson finished with 21 points, 1 shy of his season high and 2 shy of his career high, to lead four Vikings in double figures.
Eric Krogman scored a season-high 14 points and grabbed a career-high 9 rebounds off the bench.
Kenny Hartzell also came off the bench to match his career high with 11 points.
Marques Blank added 12 points and 5 assists, while
Joey Ryan nearly had a double-double with 9 points and a career-high 8 assists.
The Vikings dominated the boards as well, outrebound Peru State 30-17. Augie also won the turnover battle, forcing 19 turnovers while committing a season-low 8 turnovers. Twelve of the Bobcats' 19 turnovers were Viking steals, another season high.
Marlis Lovelace led Peru State with 15 points. Brandon Barrett was the only other Bobcat in double figures with 10 points.
The Vikings will be in action this weekend when they travel to Fairbanks, Alaska, for games against Alaska-Fairbanks and Alaska-Anchorage.
