Box Score
Augustana used a well-balanced scoring attack and a solid defensive effort to extend its winning streak to 8 games as the 21st-ranked Vikings cruised past Minnesota, Crookston 77-50 Sunday afternoon at the Elmen Center.
The Vikings improved to 13-1 overall and pulled into a tie with St. Cloud State for second place in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference with a 6-1 league record. Augie and SCSU are 1 game behind league leader Minnesota State University, Mankato, which is 7-0. Meanwhile, Minnesota, Crookston slipped to 3-11 overall and 0-8 in the NSIC.
Augustana got off to a fast start. Behind 3-pointers by
David Foster,
Cameron McCaffrey and
Elliot Thomas and 4 points apiece by
Cody Schilling and Kenny Brown, the Vikings raced out to a 19-6 lead in the first 7 minutes of the game.
However, the Golden Eagles clawed their way back into the game. Trailing 24-13, UMC's Jason Servaty knocked down back-to-back 3-pointers to trim the Augustana lead to 5 at 24-19 with 7:45 left in the first half.
Augustana had the answer though. The Vikings scored 8 unanswered points to increase their advantage to 32-19 with just under 2 minutes to play in the period. Augustana led 37-25 at the break.
Foster ignited the Vikings' offense in the second half. The senior scored 8 of his 13 points in the first 5:07 of the second half as the hosts pushed their lead to 49-33 with 14:53 left in the game.
After UMC's Adam Hendricks scored 3 straight points to make the score 49-36, Augustana delivered the knockout blow. The Vikings used a 14-0 run over the next 4:30 to give Augie a 63-36 lead with 10:06 left in the game.
Augustana led by at least 23 points the rest of the game.
For the game, Augustana shot 46 percent from the field, connecting on 28 of 61 shots. Meanwhile, the Vikings held Minnesota, Crookston to 40 percent shooting (21 of 52). UMC's 50 points was the lowest total by a Viking opponent this season.
For the fourth straight game, the Vikings took care of the basketball, committing only 8 turnovers. On the other hand, Augie forced 19 UMC miscues.
Foster led 3 Vikings in double figures as they had balanced scoring. Brown and McCaffrey added 11 and 10 points each off the bench. In all 11 different players scored.
Damarius Cruz paced Minnesota, Crookston with 15 points, while Matthew Heier added 11.
Augustana goes on the road next week for a pair of NSIC games. On Friday, January 15, the Vikings play at Upper Iowa in an 8 p.m. contest. Then on Saturday, January 16, Augustana travels to Winona State for a 7 p.m. matchup.
