SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- The youth movement is underway. Starting off their 2018-2019 home schedule, the Augustana men's basketball team saw four freshmen reach double figures - as well as 21 from Tyler Riemersma - as the Vikings ran past Chadron State (Neb.) for an 83-69 win. 

Augustana's A.J. Plitzuweit (19 points), Trevor Hanson (16 points, 7 rebounds), and Dylan LeBrun (12 points, 6 rebounds) all set career highs as the Vikings shot 46% from the field in the win. Equally impressive, the Vikings controlled the glass (+8 margin) and forced 11 turnovers en route to their second victory of the season.

Augustana Head coach Tom Billeter continues to be impressed with his young core as well as entire teams defensive effort. "All of our young guys have great futures, and they're really fun to coach," Billeter said, "I was also impressed by the defense of Jameson Bryan and the ability of Matt Cartwright to allow our bigs to go to work." Chadron State shot 32% in the second half as the Vikings pulled away down the stretch. 



Tuesday's game started well offensively for Augustana as the Vikings knocked down their 1st four shots of the game. LeBrun started off the Vikings off with a baseline triple, and following a pair of contested shots from Chadron, an A.J. Plitzuweit three made it a 10-3 run to start the game. 

The Eagles looked to climb back into the game, but a Tyler Riemersma drive and bucket inside gave the Vikings a 19-10 lead at the 11:30 mark. The difference early was Augie's ability to knock down nearly 70% of their shots, and slowed down Chadron with their stifling defense, including a 3-11 start and multiple turnovers. 

An 11-5 run from the Eagles, sparked by buckets from Jeremy Ruffin and Brady Delimont, cut into the Augustana lead and made a 25-21 game. Augustana had the answer on a Trevor Hanson jumper, but a triple from Chadron State's Andrew Walker gave the Eagles their first lead of the game at 31-30. 

Later in the 1st half, Plitzuweit connected on a fast break layup to not only give the Vikings lead back but give the freshman a career-high 11 points. Each side traded buckets to end the 1st half, and at the break, the Vikings had a 38-37 lead.

The Vikings continued to work inside during the 2nd half, sparked by LeBrun. In the 2nd, he gained position in the paint, went up strong and scored plus a foul. The ensuing free throw pushed the freshman into double-figures and extended the Vikings lead to 51-42.

Trevor Hanson continued to show his inside-out game early in the second half. A triple from the right wing gave the Vikings their biggest lead of the game at 58-46 with 12:37 to play in the game. Chadron State looked to make a few second-half runs, but Augustana forced numerous turnovers and limited the Eagles to find a rhythm. 

With seven minutes to go in the 2nd half, the Vikings put the game on ice. Tayton Vincent found Michael Schaefer for a long triple, Plitzuweit followed up with a jumper on the next possession, and the Vikings had pushed their lead to 68-53. Schaefer was the fourth freshman to hit double figures, finishing with 13 points and three boards. 

Augustana continued to attack the rim and went onto hit 23-30 free throws, including a game-high 6-8 from Riemersma. 

Overall, the Vikings limited Chadron State to just 14 assists and 24 field goals. Augustana's total of five players in double-figures and 83 points are both season-highs. 

Augustana will now have two days off before playing on Friday and Saturday in the first-ever East vs. West Challenge at the Sanford Pentagon. The Vikings will take on South Dakota School of Mines at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Black Hills State at 5:30 on Saturday.