MINOT, N.D. -- Searching for their 14th win of the season, the Augustana men's basketball used a solid defensive effort to slow down Minot State, but came up short in the final minutes, falling 66-64 to MSU. Augustana is now 13-8 (9-6) and Minot State is now 10-14 (5-10).

Augustana head coach Tom Billeter, who remains three wins away from 400 in his career, was pleased with some positives from tonight's game. "I like how we competed and thought we played hard tonight," Billeter said. "Give Minot State credit for their excellent defensive effort tonight, too."

In a grind-it-out back-and-forth game, Friday's contest came down to the final two minutes. Trailing 61-56, Dylan LeBrun buried a left-wing three to make it 61-59, and following Minot State free throws, LeBrun hit another shot to keep the deficit at three. However, the Vikings couldn't get over the hill as MSU held on for the win. 

After dropping a career-high 27 points last week vs. Minnesota state, Michael Schaefer was back at it tonight. The freshman finished with a game-high 21 points and career-high 17 rebounds. It the second-highest rebounding performance from Augustana this year, as Tyler Riemersma pulled down 18 boards earlier this season. LeBrun finished with 20 points and 6 rebounds, and Trevor Hanson rounded out the double-figure scoring with 10 points. 

Augustana shot 40 percent (27-of-68) compared to 41 percent (26-of-63) for Minot State. The Vikings controlled the glass, finishing with 45 rebounds (+9 margin) overall. 

Although the Vikings missed their first few attempts to open the game, LeBrun came around a screen and knocked down an elbow jumper two minutes in. Both sides traded possession before Schaefer gave the Vikings their first lead at 4-3. A Matt Cartwright jumper and a LeBrun second-chance bucket made it a 12-10 game at 12:07, the games first media timeout.

Hanson made a pair of jumpers and following a Plitzuweit layup, the Vikings had quickly hit 4-of-5 attempts from the field. However, the Beavers and Drake Jeffries kept pace, tying the game up at 20-20 with 6:10 left in the first half.

The final five minutes of the second half marked buckets from both sides. LeBrun registered his eighth point on of the half on a nice spin move and score in the paint. After 20 minutes, Minot State still led 30-28.

In the first half, the Vikings forced four turnovers, but they only led two a pair of points. Augustana finished the half strong and maintained a 22-21 advantage on the boards. Schaefer led the team with 9 points as the Vikings shot 35 percent (12-of-34). Minot State shot 39 percent (13-of-33).

The second half featured quick scoring from both sides. Cartwright tied the game up at 32, and then Hanson scored in the paint to make it 32-32.

Minot State, sparked by David Akibo, went on a 9-1 run to take their biggest lead of the night at 40-33. With 12:42 to play, Minot continued to push the pace. Augie kept up, but couldn't close the gap, trailing 49-38 midway through the half.

Plitzuweit cut into the deficit with a bucket, but the Vikings needed a run. Starting with keeping Minot State scoreless for two minutes, Schaefer hit three quick field goals to make it a 56-54 game. With four minutes left, LeBrun and Schaefer did everything they could try and give Augie the lead, but the Vikings couldn't connect enough down the stretch. 

Max Cody had 18 points to lead MSU.

The Vikings now stay on the road in North Dakota, heading to Mary for a 3:30 tip-off with the Marauders on Saturday.