LANCASTER, TX -- Fresh off a season-opening win on Friday afternoon, the Augustana men's basketball team battled down the stretch in the second half, but couldn't get enough defensive stops in an 83-77 loss to Henderson State (Ark.). The Vikings move to 1-1 (0-0 NSIC), and Henderson State is now 2-0 (0-0 GAC). Augustana leaves Texas and the NSIC/GAC challenge with a 1-1 record. 
 
Augustana head coach Tom Billeter is thankful for the opportunity to play down in Texas and knows this past weekend will make his team stronger throughout the season. "Great trip for us this weekend. We played really hard and shared the ball well. Such an unbelievable future for this group. There is a lot of work ahead, but we can't wait to get there." The Vikings finished with 24 assists on 34 field goals, marking the 1st time they've finished with 20 or more assists since Feb. 9th, 2018 (20 vs. Sioux Falls).
 
Augustana was led by a game-high and career-high 28 points from Tyler Riemersma. The big-man finished 13-17 from the field and added in five rebounds and four assists. With four true freshmen seeing the floor, two more got in double-figures as Trevor Hanson ended the night with 12 points and four boards, and Michael Schaefer chipped in 10. The Vikings shot 47% from the field, but were out-rebounded by the Reddies and also allowed 52% from the field for Henderson State.
 
The game started at a fast pace, including good defense from the Vikings. On the Reddies first possession, Matt Cartwright secured a steal and finished with a fast break layup. Both ends then traded buckets, including back-to-back layups from Tyler Riemersma to make it a 6-4 game.
 
The Vikings, who have one of their youngest lineups in more than a decade, continue to get contributions from a stout freshman class. Getting the start on Saturday, Dylan LeBrun showed that he's sharpshooter. Good ball movement found the Flandreau native in the corner as he knocked down a triple. LeBrun finished with nine points and team-high seven rebounds.
 
Augustana controlled the offensive glass in the 1st half, and late in the half, Riemersma got a put-back bucket off glass plus a foul. The ensuing free throw made it an 18-16 Augustana lead. Although Henderson State took the lead, a late 12-5 run from the Vikings allowed them to regain control in the 1st half. However, Henderson State, who was led by 27 points from Chris Parker, knocked down a couple of triple before the break and took a 35-34 lead at halftime.
 
The second half featured back-n-forth action from both sides. Parker knocked down another pair of threes to push the Henderson lead to 50-42, but Augustana had a quick answer. The Vikings, sparked by jumpers from A.J. Plitzuweit, Riemersma and Jameson Bryan, went on a 13-5 run to tie the game up 55 all.
 
Moments later, a triple from Matt Cartwright - who finished the game with 8 points - gave the Vikings 61-60 lead. However, the Reddies continued to make shots down the stretch of the second half to respond and take the lead. Henderson State's Raekwon Rogers connected on a lay-up inside, and with 1:01 left in the game, Henderson state built up a 79-75 lead. The Vikings had a couple of chances late to tie the game, but shots didn't fall and the Reddies held on for a 6 point win.
 
The Vikings will now return to Sioux Falls as they start the home portion of their schedule on Tuesday night, welcoming in Chadron State (Neb.) into the Elmen center for a 7:00 p.m. tip-off.