DULUTH, Minn. – A frantic second-half comeback fell short for the Augustana men's basketball team in a 73-67 loss at Minnesota Duluth Friday night. The Vikings trailed by as many as 16 points in the second half but cut the deficit to just a single possession on two occasions.
 
The loss drops Augustana to 13-10 on the season and 8-9 in NSIC play. Minnesota Duluth improves to 17-6, 12-5.
 
The Vikings fell behind 43-27 with 16:53 remaining in the game. That's when Augustana changed gears and used a slow burn to methodically get back in the game. After cutting the deficit to just 10 points with 7:11 on the clock, the Vikings then went on a 12-2 run to pull within a basket at 58-56.
 
Junior Tyler Riemersma connected on a layup to begin the run which was followed by a 3-point basket from sophomore Matt Todd. Riemersma and Todd were joined by Adam Dykman to account for the 12 points in the run.
 
The Bulldogs answered the Vikings and pushed the lead back to seven points before Augustana again pulled within a basket at 68-65. Sophomore Dylan LeBrun sank a 3-point basket with 30 seconds remaining, trying to give AU the final spark it needed to get over the hump.
 
Having to play the foul game, the Bulldogs connected on just enough free throws for the final 73-67 score.
 
Riemersma recorded his 10^th double-double of the season with 23 points and 12 rebounds. He was joined in double-figure scoring by Dykman, a junior, with 12 points and Lebrun with 10 points. Todd dished a game-high six assists and tallied two steals.
 
Brandon Myer, the NSIC Preseason Player of the Year for the North Division, led UMD with 26 points and 12 rebounds.
 
The Vikings shot 40 percent from the field for the game on 26-of-65 field goal attempts while the Bulldogs were 22-of-47 for 46.8 percent.
 
Augustana is set to play at St. Cloud State Saturday at 5:30 p.m.