Box Score
Augustana used a dominant first-half performance to take control of the game and cruise to an 82-63 non-conference victory over previously unbeaten Montana State-Billings Tuesday night at the Elmen Center.
The Vikings improved to 3-0 on the season, while MSU-Billings slipped to 2-1.
Augustana's
David Foster, a senior from Big Timber, Mont., led the Viking charge. Making his first start of the season, Foster scored Augustana's first 5 points and 8 of the team's first 12 as the hosts opened a 12-7 lead with just under 16 minutes left in the first half.
A little over 4 minutes later, the Yellowjackets led 17-16 before Augustana began to flex its muscle at both ends of the court. The Vikings used a 21-4 run, including a streak of 11 unanswered points to seize control of the game at 37-21 with 6 minutes remaining in the half. Freshman Kenny Brown ignited the rally with 6 of his 8 first-half points. Foster, who scored 14 points in the first half, also had 6 points in the outburst.
Although MSUB countered with a 5-0 run, Augustana withstood the surge and closed out the half by outscoring the visitors 10-2 to take a 47-28 halftime lead.
Augustana shot a blistering 58 percent (15 of 26) from the field in the first 20 minutes. Foster was a big reason why, as he hit 5 of 6 field goal attempts.
Meanwhile, Montana State-Billings managed to shoot just 29 percent (7 of 24) from the floor in the first half. After making 5 of their first 10 shots, the Yellowjackets made only 2 of their final 14 shots in the final 9:35 of the period.
While MSU-Billings shot better in the second half, connecting on 15 of 28 shots (53.6 percent), it wasn't nearly enough to make a dent in the Vikings' lead. Augustana shot a very respectable 52 percent in the second half, making 13 of 25 attempts.
The Vikings never led by less than 19 points in the second half. Meanwhile, their largest lead was 26 at 79-53 with 3:44 left to play.
Augustana received balanced scoring as 11 players reached the scoring column. Brown came off the bench to finish with a game-high 17 points, matching his young career high. Meanwhile, senior
Jordan Dalton recorded his first career double-figure game, scoring 11 points to go along with 6 assists and 4 steals, both game highs.
Four Yellowjackets scored in double figures. Mike McCrary, Brad Hodge and DeAndre Chambers all scored 11 points, while Derrick Wright scored 10.
Augustana also enjoyed a 34-30 rebounding edge.
Eric Jorgensen grabbed a career-high 7 boards off the bench, while Foster was close behind with 5 boards.
Augustana returns to action this weekend in the NSIC Holiday Hoopsfest. The Vikings take on Concordia-St. Paul on Saturday and St. Cloud State on Sunday. Both games are scheduled for 8 p.m. tipoffs at the Sioux Falls Arena.
