FAYETTE, Iowa – It was the shootout that was expected Friday night in Fayette, Iowa. It just didn't fall the Augustana men's basketball direction in a 98-88 loss to Upper Iowa.
 
Tyler Riemersma and Adam Dykman each tallied 20 points while Matt Todd poured in 19 in the loss. Riemersma secured his fourth double-double of 2021 with 11 rebounds.
 
Despite leading 52-45 at halftime, Augustana (5-4, 3-4 NSIC) fell into an early slump in the second half, sending the momentum shifting in the Peacocks direction. A 10-2 Upper Iowa (4-5, 2-3 NSIC) run, dating to the end of the first half, pulled the scoring within a single digit at 54-53 in favor of the Vikings, but the Peacocks continued to forge ahead, securing the lead at 58-57 with 15:26 remaining in the game.
 
The two squads traded basket-for-basket to a 64-63 UIU lead when Upper Iowa embarked on a 12-2 run to push a 76-65 advantage with 11:36 on the clock.
 
Over the next four minutes, Augustana was able to whittle the lead down to three points when Todd sank a 3-point basket on the fast break. However, Upper Iowa responded to rebuild its lead to 11 points. Augustana could only get the spread to just six points in the closing minutes leading to the final score of 98-88.
 
Joining the Viking trio in double-digit points were Dylan LeBrun with 11 and Isaac Fink with 10. Todd also dished five assists.
 
Augustana shot 46.8 percent from the field and sank 11 3-point baskets at a 44-percent clip while Upper Iowa was 49.3 percent from the field, but sank 15 treys.
 
Jareese Williams led the Peacocks with 29 points on 9-of-16 shooting.
 
The two squads are back in action Saturday with a 2 p.m. tipoff at Upper Iowa.