SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The Augustana men's basketball team continues its season-opening road trip at the East/West Challenge Friday and Saturday in Spearfish, South Dakota. The Vikings face host Black Hills State Friday at 8:30 p.m. while Saturday's game is against South Dakota Mines at 6:30 p.m.
 
The Games
It's a rematch of sorts from last season when the three teams played inside the Sanford Pentagon as part of the East/West Challenge. Augustana opened the challenge against South Dakota Mines earning a 70-51 victory. The following day, Augie fell 65-62 to BHSU. The challenge rotates East River and West River each year.
 
The Yellow Jackets
Black Hills State split its opening weekend, falling 79-76 to Arkansas Fort Smith while topping Tarleton 78-75. Stefan Desnica led the Yellow Jackets with 19 points in the game against UAFS while BHSU shot nearly 60 percent from the field. In the game against Tarleton, Black Hills State overcame a 21-point deficit to claim the victory. Trey Whitley totaled 22 points in the contest that saw BHSU shoot 56 percent from the field.
 
Series Record - Augustana Leads, 13-7
The Series with the Yellow Jackets began in 1925 and the two teams have played sporadically ever since. This year is the first back-to-back meetings since 2012 and 2013 and prior to that? 1938-39. BHSU has won the last two games.
 
The Hardrockers
South Dakota Mines is 1-1 on the season after a season-opening trip to Texas. The Hardrockers fell 70-69 to Texas A&M – Kingsville and bounced back with a win over Texas A&M International, 91-66. Jack Fiddler leads SDM&T with 16 points per game while Wilfred Dickson is at 15 points per contest. Troy Brady is the third 'Rocker in double digits at 10.5 points per outing.
 
Series Record - Augustana Leads, 13-6
The series record can be a bit deceiving as in the modern era, Augustana has not lost to the Hardrockers. All six of the wins by South Dakota Mines came between 1927 and 1935. Augustana has won 11-straight in the series. 
 
The Vikings
Augustana is 2-0 after a weekend-opening sweep at the Opening Weekend Conference Challenge. The Vikings topped Arkansas Monticello 90-73 and held off Central Missouri 76-72. Matt Cartwright led the way averaging 22 points per game enroute to being named the NSIC South Division Player of the Week. The junior shot 42.4 percent from the field and added 4.5 rebounds.
 
Michael Schaefer saw an average of 16 points and 5.5 rebounds over the two games while Tyler Riemersma grabbed a team-high 10 rebounds per game. Riemersma had a double-double of 12 points and 12 rebounds against Arkansas Monticello.
 
One Last Thing
A weekend sweep for the Vikings would give them their first 4-0 start to a season since 2014-15. That year, Augustana opened the year 7-0 and earned a spot in the NCAA Tournament with a 31-3 record.