LANCASTER, TX -- Although the Augustana men's basketball team is sporting their youngest roster is more than a decade, they played like veterans down the stretch on Friday, closing out Southern Arkansas with clutch free throws and solid defense en route to a 75-67 win on opening night. The Vikings move to 1-0 (0-0 NSIC) and the Muleriders drop to 0-1 (0-0 GAC).
 
Augustana head coach Tom Billeter is pleased with the way his guys played and is already looking forward to another opportunity on Saturday. "I'm proud of the way our guys hung in there and responded positively during some good runs by Southern Arkansas," Billeter said, "we hit the boards hard and played with passion tonight. I know we'll be ready for another test tomorrow against a good Henderson State team." Augustana dominated the glass with a 46-32 advantage - including 16 offense boards - over Southern Arkansas.
 
The story of Friday's match started with Augustana's defensive effort in the 1st half. The Vikings limited Southern Arkansas to just 4-25 (16%) from the field, including 1-9 from three, and just 20 points. It's the best defensive half the Vikings have had since Nov. 11, 2016, when they allowed just three (3) field goals in the 1st half vs. Southwest Oklahoma State.
 
Offensively, the Vikings got three players in double-figures, including freshman Michael Schaefer who led the team with a game-high 22 points and 7 rebounds. Sophomore Matt Cartwright had 17 points and 7 rebounds, and Tyler Riemersma, who led the team with 9 boards, chipped in 14 points for Augustana.
 
Augustana started off the game strong, including back-to-back triples from Cartwright, and eventually opened the afternoon on a 16-4 run. Southern Arkansas started to work back in the game, but a jumper from Riemersma stopped a 5-0 run, and then six straight points from Schaefer made it a 24-8 Augustana lead.
 
With just over 4 minutes to go in the 1st half, Cartwright came up with one of the nicest plays of the night. The Sioux Falls native curled around a screen, and from just inside the arc, buried a long jumper and got fouled. The ensuing free throw made it a 27-9 Augustana lead.

As solid as the Vikings offense was in the 1st half, it was their ability to control the glass and get stops on the defensive end that was even more impressive. The Muleriders shot just 16% in the 1st half, which is the best mark Augustana has held an opponent to since early last season when Chadron State shot just 19% on Nov. 25, 2017. At the break, the Vikings had a 35-20 lead over SAU.
 
The second half started with Schaefer posting up inside and hitting a baby-hook inside the paint. Moments later, another freshman in A.J. Plitzuweit started to find his rhythm. He grabbed a defensive board, started the break, and found Tyler Riemersma inside who finished with a soft touch off the glass and a 39-20 lead. Plitzuweit had 7 points and led the team with 5 assists. 
 
A three from the Muleriders' Jalen Brooks made it a 53-48 game with just under 8 minutes to play, but once again the Vikings had the answer as Cartwright and Plitzuweit knocked down jumpers and it was back to an 11-point game. Down the stretch, the Muleriders continued to fight, and another three from CJ Elkins made it 71-67 with 35 seconds left. However, the Vikings finished with four straight free throws - including a pair from Jameson Bryan - and held on for a 75-67 win. Overall, the Vikings shot 22-56 (39.3%), and 9-21 (42.9%) from downtown. They had 13 assists compared to just 6 for SAU.
 
The Vikings will now have a short turnaround as they'll be back in action on Saturday at 12 p.m. vs. Henderson State (Ark.). Fans can follow @AugieMenBball for updates throughout the game.
 
After losing three starters from their 2017-18 team, Henderson State is picked to finish 10th in the Great American Conference preseason coaches' poll. A season ago, the Reddies finished the year 14-14 and did not qualify for the postseason tournament.