BOX SCORE

BISMARCK, N.D. – No. 5 Augustana College men's basketball used a big second half to defeat the University of Mary 89-55 at the McDowell Activity Center on Friday night in Bismarck, N.D. The Vikings out-scored the Marauders (6-13, 4-11 NSIC) 47-23 in the second half to improve to 20-1 on the season, including 14-1 in NSIC play.
 
With the win, Augustana recorded its eighth 20-win season in program history, including its fifth under the direction of 12th-year head coach Tom Billeter. Billeter, the all-time winningest coach in program history, improved to 299-189 in his career putting him one shy of his 300th career victory. The Vikings are one of two NCAA Division II programs with 20-plus wins this season, joining MSU Moorhead who is 23-1 after tonight's win over Concordia-St. Paul.
 
Augustana was led by Alex Richter who finished with 24 points while knocking down a career-high five 3-pointers on the night. Casey Schilling added 16 points and Daniel Jansen pitched in with 15 points, four rebounds and four assists for Augustana.  
 
How it happened
• The Vikings jumped out to an early seven-point lead at 9-2 connecting on two quick 3-pointers and converting a 3-point-play just over a minute into the contest.
• After grabbing the lead with the outside shot the Vikings attacked the rim scoring 10 of its next 13 points in the paint to gain a 10-point advantage at 22-12.
• The Vikings were able to build an 11-point lead (27-16) after Casey Schilling came up with a steal and a fastbreak bucket.
• Augustana missed seven of its next eight rebounds and the Marauders went on a 14-4 run over the next five minutes to cut the Vikings lead to just one at 31-30.
• Daniel Jansen answered with his first 3-pointer of the night, sparking an 11-2 run over the final 1:32 of the first half to help the Vikings take a 42-32 lead into the break.
• The Vikings finished the first half shooting 45.5 percent (15 of 33) from the field, connecting on 8 of 19 3-pointers (42 percent).
• Schilling led the Vikings with 12 first-half points while Alex Richter pitched in with 10 of his own.
• Augustana forced eight U-Mary turnovers and had three steals and two blocks in the first half.
• The Vikings got out to a fast start in the second half going on a 15-0 run over the first 4:22 to extend its lead to 25 at 57-32.
• Augustana extended its run to 26-9 up to the midway point of the second half pushing its lead to 68-41.
• The Vikings would continue to pour it on in the second half, out-scoring the Marauders 47-23 in the final 20 minutes to secure their 13th straight victory.
 
Inside the Box Score
• Alex Richter led the Vikings in scoring for the fourth time this season, registering his fifth 20-point game of his career.
• Richter scored 14 of his 24 points in the second half alone, while knocking down a career-high five 3-pointers.
• Richter also led the Vikings with six rebounds in the game, to go along with two assists.
• The Vikings hit 13 3-pointers in the game, marking the ninth time this season Augustana has hit double-digits from behind the arc in a game.
• Casey Schilling finished 6 of 11 from the field, including 2 of 4 from 3-point range and 2 of 3 from the line for his 20th double-digit scoring game this season.
• Daniel Jansen dished out four assists, marking the fifth straight game with two or more assists in a game.
• Jordan Spencer pitched in with eight points, seven assists and two steals.
• Spencer has dished out five or more assists in 11 games this season, including two straight.
• Ben Weisbeck scored a season-high eight points off the bench, finishing 4 of 5 from the field.
• Augustana finished the game shooting 53 percent (33 of 62) from the field, marking the 11th time this season the Vikings have shot 50 percent or better from the field.
• The Vikings have shot over 50 percent in three straight games.
• Augustana had 11 different players score in tonight's game.
 
Up Next
• Augustana closes-out a two-game road swing tomorrow night taking on Minot State University at 6 p.m. at the MSU Dome.