SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The Augustana men's basketball team makes its NSIC home debut Friday and Saturday inside the Sanford Pentagon. Friday's contest against Winona State is slated for 7:30 p.m. while Saturday's game against Upper Iowa is at 5:30 p.m.
 
The Games
On Friday, fans are encouraged to participate in a White Out by wearing White to the doubleheader. At halftime, Tyler's Amazing Balancing Act will take to Heritage Court. The Amazing Tyler has been seen on America's Got Talent and is the No. 1 most booked halftime act in college basketball.
 
Winona State enters with a 3-4 overall record and is 0-1 in the NSIC while Upper Iowa is 4-3 and 1-0. The Warriors and Peacocks met this past Saturday with UIU coming away with the victory. Augustana is 6-1 on the season and 1-0 in league play. The six wins under the Vikings' belts are the most in the NSIC this year.
 
The Boss' Pizza & Chicken 3-point promotion is back for 2019-20. When Augustana men's and women's basketball teams combine to make 25 or more 3-point shots in a doubleheader, fans receive a coupon for $5 pizza as they leave the game. Augustana fans are encouraged to gather after Saturday's games at the Blue Rock Bar & Grill across the street from the Sanford Pentagon. Light appetizers will be provided and a cash bar will be available. 
 
The Warriors
The Winona State men are 3-4 this season and 0-1 in NSIC action after falling at Upper Iowa last Saturday. Prior to that loss, Winona State was riding a three-game win streak with victories over Michigan Tech, Bethany Lutheran and Viterbo. Kevion Taylor and Caleb Wagner lead WSU with 16.9 and 16.3 points per game, respectively. Andrea Lo Biondo grabs a team-best 7.9 rebounds per game.
 
The series with Winona dates back to 1937 when the Warriors claimed the initial meeting. The two squads then did not meet again until 1997 at the Sioux Falls Thanksgiving Tournament. Augustana leads the series, 17-13.
 
The Peacocks
The Upper Iowa men enter the weekend holding a 4-3 record and topped Winona State 84-79 in its NSIC opener. Prior to coming to Sioux Falls Saturday, the Peacocks play at Wayne State. Jareese Williams leads UIU at 14.9 points and 5.7 rebounds per game. He owns a season-high 24 points in the Peacocks' 83-70 win over Central Oklahoma. In the NSIC opener, Joe Smoldt tallied 17 points to lead a trio of Peacocks in double-digit scoring.
 
Augustana and Upper Iowa first met in 1961 and 1962 before discontinuing the series that later resumed in 2005. Augustana won the first even meetings and leads the series at 19-7.   
 
The Vikings
Augustana is 6-1 overall and 1-0 in the NSIC after a conference-opening win at Wayne State this past Saturday. Two Vikings tallied a double-double in the win while a third was a rebound shy. Tyler Riemersma (20 points and 16 rebounds) and Michael Schaefer (17 points and 11 rebounds) each recorded a double-double while Adam Dykman finished with 15 points and nine rebounds. The trio led the Vikings to a 75-66 win over Wayne State.
 
Riemersma, along with his strong game against Nebraska Christian earlier last week, was named the NSIC South Division Player of the Week for the second time in his career.
 
For the season, Matt Cartwright leads Augustana with 19.6 points per game. He is followed in the scoring column by Schaefer at 12.4 and Matt Todd at 12.3 points per game. Riemersma nearly averages a double-double with 10.7 points and 9.4 rebounds per contest.
 
The Vikings rank 14^th in the nation with a +10.1 rebound margin while ranking fifth in the country with 15.7 offensive rebounds per game.
 
One Last Thing
Currently in its 12^th season in the NSIC, Augustana is 9-2 all-time in NSIC home openers. Within the 12 years, Augustana is 166-73 (.694) all-time in Northern Sun action.