SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- Starting off their first homestand of 2019, the Augustana men's basketball team poured in a season-high 94 points as four players hit double-figures in a 94-85 win over Upper Iowa. The Vikings improve to 11-4 (7-2 NSIC South), and the Peacocks drops to 6-9 (3-6 NSIC).
 
The Vikings, who outscored Upper Iowa 49-36 in the second half, won for the eighth time in their last nine games. With a Minnesota State loss, Augustana moves back into a tie for 1st place in the NSIC South.
 
Augustana head coach Tom Billeter was impressed by his programs effort on both ends of the court. "We got a resilient group of guys," Billeter said. "They have great chemistry, they play hard and they just want to win. Just a great college basketball game tonight."
 
Augustana was led by a career-high 26 points and 7 assists from A.J. Plitzuweit. Matt Cartwright dropped a cool 18 points and 3 rebounds, Trevor Hanson had 16 points and 6 boards, and Michael Schaefer finished with 12 points and five rebounds. Dylan LeBrun just barely missed double-figures but had a strong night with 9 points and a game-high 11 rebounds.
 
The game's biggest difference was the Vikings ability to get to the free throw line and score. Augustana finished 22-25 from the charity stripe, and the Peacocks were just 1-2. Augustana controlled the glass with a 41-33 advantage, and moved to 11-1 when out-rebounding their opponent.
 
Both teams traded scoreless possessions to open the game, but Matt Cartwright got the Vikings on the board with a straightaway three-pointer just two minutes in. Dylan LeBrun followed with a mid-range jumper to give Augustana the early 5-3 lead.
 
The Vikings continued to get looks on the offensive end, including freshman A.J. Plitzuweit. The Vermillion native hit back-to-back buckets for five straight points.
 
With three straight threes from Jackson Jones, Upper Iowa had built a 25-14 at the 12:20 mark of the first. Jameson Bryan stopped the run with a pair of buckets, and a Cartwright triple and Hanson bunny cut it a seven-point game at 40-33.
 
Trevor Hanson started to heat up late in the 1st half. A basket in the paint gave him 10 early points and cut the deficit to six points.
 
Plitzuweit and Cartwright scored on two straight possession to cut it to a one-point game at 46-45, but Upper Iowa scored the final bucket of the half, and at the break, the Peacocks led 49-45.
 
In the first half, Augustana shot 47% from the field and knocked down all eight of their free throw attempts. Cartwright led all players with 14 points and 3 rebounds.
 
The second half started with Plitzuweit coming out strong. He scored five straight points to give the Vikings their first lead of the night, 50-49.
 
Moments later, the play of the night belonged to Hanson. The freshman cut into the paint, took one dribble and threw down a monster dunk. LeBrun followed with a corner three, and at the 15:51 mark Augustana opened up their biggest lead at 55-52.
 
LeBrun scored off the window moments later, and five minutes into the half, Augustana had opened up the second half on a 12-3 run.
 
With stops on the defensive end, the Vikings pushed their lead to seven points. Plitzuweit quickly caught fire, burying a pair of deep threes for his 19th point of the night.
 
Michael Schaefer had a quiet first half but came to life in the second half. He dropped the hammer on a big dunk and then scored from behind the arc to push the Viking lead to 80-70. The game's final minutes featured runs from both sides, but clutch free throw shooting guided the Vikings to the win.

Jameson Bryan chipped in nine points in the win as well. 
 
By the final buzzer, Upper Iowa finished with 42 shots from downtown which is a season-high for a Viking opponent. UIU finished 20-42 (47%) from behind the arc. Jareese Williams led Upper Iowa with 18 points.
 
Augustana will now have a short turnaround before hitting the court on Saturday. The Vikings welcome in Winona State for a 5:30 tip-off at the Sioux Falls Arena.