Box Score
Lee Stephens scored a career-high 27 points, but his layup with 4 seconds remaining proved to be the difference as the Augustana men defeated Montana State-Billings, 81-79, Saturday in Billings, Mont.
The Vikings have now won their last four and 8 of 9 to improve their season record to 8-2. MSU-Billings fell to 3-6 on the year with the loss.
Augustana led by as many as 10 in the second half, but MSU-Billings proved to be difficult to put away. MSUB's Mario Burns tied the game at 52 with 11:57 left, as the two teams jockeyed for the lead midway through the second stanza.
After a made 3-pointer by
Cody Schilling put the Vikings up six with 10 minutes remaining, MSUB again tied the game at 62 with a layup by Derrick Wright. The pace continued throughout, with the game concluding with 14 ties and 16 lead changes.
Two made free throws by
Eric Krogman, who led all scorers with a season-high 29 points, gave Augie the lead, 76-75, with 1 minute remaining, but MSUB grabbed the lead right back again with two made free throws by Wright.
After a quick timeout, the Vikings again found an answer.
David Foster, playing in front of some hometown fans, nailed a 3-pointer with 21 seconds remaining to put the Vikings up 79-77. Foster grew up and attended high school in Big Timber, Mont., roughly 90 miles from Billings.
The seesaw battle continued. Burns answered the Foster three with a layup to tie the game. However, this time, the Vikings went back inside, as Stephens' layup with 4 seconds left proved to be the difference and the Vikings left Alterowitz Gym victorious, 81-79.
Along with his 29 points, Krogman garnered 12 rebounds and finished 13-of-14 from the charity stripe. Schilling finished with 17 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists, while Foster finished with 5 points.
The Vikings outrebounded their opponent for the 10th straight game, grabbing 31 rebounds to MSUB's 28.
The Vikings will have almost two weeks off before returning to action Friday, January 2, when they take on Bemidji State at the Elmen Center. The NSIC men's and women's doubleheader will tip with the women at 6 p.m. while the men are slated to begin at 8 p.m.
