SPEARFISH, S.D. – The Augustana men's basketball faltered for the first time this season in a 76-71 setback to South Dakota Mines Saturday night at the East/West Challenge in Spearfish, South Dakota.
 
Junior Matt Cartwright tallied his third 20-point game of the season with a game-high 21 points while Adam Dykman had 14 points and Dylan LeBrun added 11 points.
 
The loss drops Augustana to 3-1 on the season while South Dakota Mines improves to 2-2.
 
The Vikings led for just under three minutes of the game and held the lead just twice in the second half. Dykman concluded an 11-2 run when hit a turn-around jumper on the baseline to give Augie a 58-57 lead with 9:38 remaining in the game. However, on the ensuing South Dakota Mines possession, Troy Brady sank a 3-point basket to give the Hardrockers the lead back.
 
After South Dakota Mines built a 68-62 lead, the Vikings utilized a 9-2 run to take a 71-70 lead as it was Dykman again giving Augie the lead. He sank a 3-point basket with an assist from Cartwright. However, Mines again answered back with a long-range shot from Brady for a 73-71 lead with 1:08 on the clock.
 
The Vikings were unable to get another basket on the scoreboard, falling 76-71.
 
The Vikings shot 44.1 percent from the field on 26-of-59 shot attempts but were just 26.9 percent from 3-point range. The Hardrockers shot 50 percent from the field on 27-of-54 shot attempts.
 
Augustana makes its regular-season home debut on Thursday hosting Buena Vista inside the Elmen Center. Opening tip is slated for 7 p.m.