LAS VEGAS – No. 1 Augustana University men's basketball dropped its season-opener 88-86 to Washburn University at the Doolittle Community Center in Las Vegas, Nev. on Friday. The Ichabods (1-0) took an 84-83 lead with 2:27 to play and didn't allow the Vikings (0-1) to hit a field goal in the final 2-plus minutes to hang on for the upset win.
 
After Washburn took an 84-83 lead, Augustana took a timeout with 33 seconds left to draw up a play that would bleed as much time off the clock as possible, but Washburn was able to force a turnover and the Vikings to foul on the other end of the court. The Ichabods extended their lead to 86-83 with two free throws and not wanting the Vikings to have a shot to tie with a 3-pointer, fouled Daniel Jansen to send him to the line with his team down three.
 
Jansen hit both free throws to make it a one-point game at 86-85 and the Vikings quickly fouled sending the Ichabods to the line for a 1-and-1 opportunity. Washburn hit both freebies to extend its lead to 88-85 and again would foul the Vikings with a three-point lead. Adam Beyer hit the first free throw to make the score 88-86 and intentionally missed the second hoping for an offensive rebound and a putback but the Ichabods came down with the board and held  on for the win.
 
Augustana had five players in double-figures led by Alex Richter's 22 points. Richter finished the game shooting 7 of 10 from the field, knocking down a career-high six 3-pointers finishing 6 of 10 from behind the arc. Daniel Jansen and Casey Schilling each finished with 17 points for the Vikings. Schilling added nine rebounds, three assists and three steals.
 
The Vikings finished the game shooting 49.1 percent (27 of 55) from the field. Augustana was lights out in the first half hitting 16 of 27 (59.3 percent) from the field but was just 11 of 28 (39.3 percent) in the second half.
 
Washburn out-rebounded Augustana 36-30 and shot 55.4 percent (36 of 65) from the field. Cameron Wiggins led the Ichabods with 19 points on 6 of 10 shooting, including hitting four of his teams' eight 3-pointers in the game.
 
Augustana will return to action on Thursday, Nov. 19 in its home opener against Northwest Missouri State. Tip-off between the Vikings and Bearcats is set for 7 p.m. at Sioux Falls Arena.