SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Augustana University men's basketball had four players in double-figures, led by Mike Busack who finished with a game-high 27, in an 80-78 win over the University of Sioux Falls on Friday night at the Stewart Center. Augustana improved to 18-7 on the season, including 13-6 in NSIC play. USF is now 13-14 on the season, including 9-10 in conference play.
 
Busack finished one rebound shy of picking up his fourth straight double-double. Busack finished with 27 points and nine rebounds. He hit 8 of 16 shots from the field and came up big at the free throw line for the Vikings hitting 8 of 10.
 
Augustana knocked down 14 of 16 from the free throw line in the second half to finish the game 22 of 28 (78.6 percent).
 
Steven Schaefer pitched in with 14 points off the bench for the Vikings hitting 4 of 5 shots, including 3 of 4 from the free throw line. Zach Huisken added 11 points, four rebounds and three assists while Jordan Spencer added 10 points, eight assists and three steals.
 
Augustana finished the game shooting 47.1 percent from the field, including 37 percent from 3-point range.
 
Daniel Hurtt led USF with 18 points helping the Cougars shoot 53.4 percent on the night. The Cougars shot 67.9 percent in the first half before going 12 for 30 in the second.
 
The Vikings fell behind early after starting out the game 0 for 3 from the field allowing USF to open up a 7-0 lead before head coach Tom Billeter called a timeout to slow down the early run. Augustana used the timeout well and came out hot scoring 10 of the game's next 12 points to take a 10-9 lead.
 
The two teams traded points over the next four minutes playing to a 20-all tie nearing the midway point of the half. USF was able to build a four point lead three times over the next two minutes but the Vikings kept attacking the rim and getting to the free throw line. Beyer hit a pair of free throws that gave Augustana a 33-31 lead with 5:38 remaining in the half.
 
USF tied the game at the free throw line and went on a 14-2 run over the next 3:27, as the Vikings went 0 for 4 from the field during the stretch, and the Cougars built a 12-point lead of 47-35. Augustana scored four straight to close-out the half and USF went into the locker room with a 47-39 lead.
 
Augustana finished the half shooting 46.4 percent (13 of 28) from the field, including 5 of 14 from 3-point range. Busack led the Vikings with 10 first-half points while Warren and Schaefer each pitched in with eight.
 
USF shot 67.9 percent (19 of 28) from the field in the first half and hit 5 of 8 3-pointers. USF held a 15-9 advantage in rebounds through 20 minutes. Mack Johnson led the Cougars with 10 points on 4 of 8 shooting in the first half.
 
Augustana started the second half out strong with a 7-2 run in the first two minutes of the half to cut USF's lead to three at 49-46. The Vikings scratched their way back and tied the game at 54 with 15:02 to play after a 3-pointer by Scahefer.
 
USF pushed its lead back up to six with 13:50 to play before both teams went cold from the field for over five minutes. Neither team made a field goal for five and a half minutes and Busack hit five straight 3-pointers during that stretch to get the Vikings within one before he ended Augustana's drought with a jumper that gave the Vikings a 63-62 lead.
 
Augustana and USF were tied at 69, the ninth tie score of the night, before the Cougars were able to gain a four-point lead of 73-69. Busack answered with a 3-pointer to cut USF's lead to one and the Vikings were able to regain the lead with 1:43 to play after a jumper by Spencer that gave the Vikings a 79-78 advantage.
 
USF missed a great look under the basket with 10 seconds to play and Schaefer hit 1 of 2 free throws to make the score 80-78 Augustana with eight seconds to play and the Vikings came away with a big road win with three regular season games to play.
 
Augustana returns to action Saturday night with a big NSIC South Division match-up against Southwest Minnesota State. The Vikings and Mustangs will tip-off at 7 p.m. tomorrow night at the R/A Facility.