SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – No. 3 Augustana University men's basketball shot a season-high 57 percent from the field in a 97-68 win over Minnesota State (5-2, 0-1 NSIC) in front of 3,144 fans at the Sioux Falls Arena on Friday night. Sophomore guard Jordan Spencer scored a career-high 22 points to go along with five assists and Daniel Jansen registered his first double-double of the season with a game-high 28 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Vikings.
 
Spencer, who entered the game shooting 30.6 percent from the field on the season, finished 9 of 11, including 3 of 5 from 3-point range to register his second career 20-point game. Spencer has now dished out five or more assists in all six games this season, and 21 straight games dating back to Jan. 24 of last season.


 
Jansen finished 10 of 14 from the field, including 3 of 5 from 3-point range and 5 of 9 from the line. He matched his career-high with 12 rebounds, grabbing all 12 on the defensive glass.
 
Adam Beyer pitched in with 12 points for the Vikings while Casey Schilling added seven points and 11 rebounds.
 
Minnesota State finished the game 23 of 60 (38.3 percent) from the field and was led by Jalen Pendleton and Lucas Brown who each finished with 20 points.
 
Augustana started out hot in the first three and a half minutes of the game taking a 14-3 lead after hitting five of its first six shots in the game, including three 3-pointers. Alex Richter hit a 3-pointer at the 16:42 mark of the first half forcing MSU to take an early timeout.
 
The Mavericks settled in a bit after the timeout out-scoring the Vikings 11-3 over the next 4:24 of the game to cut Augustana's lead to three at 17-14 with 11:31 remaining in the first half. Jansen hit one of two free throws to stop the MSU run and on the Mavericks' next possession he picked up a steal and trailed the play and knocked down a 3-pointer that sparked the Vikings to go on a 6-0 run and increase their lead to nine.
 
MSU was able to cut Augustana's lead back down to four scoring five straight points after a Mike Busack 3-pointer and a pair of free throws by Jalen Pendleton but the Vikings out-scored the Mavericks 23-8 over the final 7:19 of the first half to take a 19-point halftime lead of 46-27.
 
Augustana shot 53 percent (16 of 30) from the field in the first 20 minutes, including knocking down 8 of 13 3-pointers. Jansen and Spencer each finished 3 for 3 from 3-point range in the first half. Jansen led the Vikings with 17 points to go along with seven rebounds in the first half while Spencer pitched in with 16 points on 6 of 6 shooting.
 
Augustana out-rebounded Minnesota State 20-16 in the first half, grabbing 16 defensive boards. Schilling picked up eight rebounds in the half while Jansen added seven.
 
After a hot-shooting first half, Augustana came out with even more fire in the second half. The Vikings shot 60 percent from the field in the final 20 minutes en route to a season-high shooting performance.
 
The Vikings led by as much 30 in the second half and allowed MSU within just 18 three times early in the half.
 
Augustana had 11 players get in on the scoring mix on the night. Alex Richter added seven points, hitting 2 of 2 from 3-point range and 1 of 2 from the line. Steven Schaefer pitched in with six points of 20 of 3 shooting while John Warren added four points, including a thunderous dunk late in the game.
 
Augustana returns to NSIC action Saturday, Dec. 4, hosting Concordia-St. Paul at 6 p.m. at the Sioux Falls Arena.