SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The Augustana men's basketball team makes its 2021-22 Sanford Pentagon debut on Thursday hosting Sioux Falls at 5:30 p.m. Fans are encouraged to make note of the start time as the doubleheader begins with the men's game and is followed by the women's contest. Following Thursday's game, the Vikings travel to Southwest Minnesota State on Saturday for a 3:30 p.m. start.
 
Complete action can be followed at GoAugie.com/Live and on the GoAugie App, presented by CellOnly. The app can be downloaded in the app store or on Google Play.
 
The Games
Augustana, ranked No. 19 in the D2SIDA Top-25 poll, is 6-1 on the season. Of the two opponents, Augustana has the highest winning percentage and most wins while USF enters with a 4-3 record and 0-1 mark in NSIC action. Southwest Minnesota State is 1-0 in conference play while sitting 4-1 on the year.
 
Augustana enters its third year inside the Sanford Pentagon with the debut on Thursday while the Vikings have not visited SMSU since Feb. 22, 2020.
 
The Cougars
Sioux Falls enters the contest 4-3 on the season. After starting their season 3-1, they've dropped two of their last three with losses to Southwest Minnesota State and UMary. Their season has been highlighted by their 83-77 upset win over then No.1 Northwest Missouri State. The Cougars score an average of 75 points per game on 44.1 percent shooting. They shoot 36.9 percent from behind the arc and 71.4 percent from the free-throw line.
 
The foes from just two blocks north have three players scoring double-digit points per game with all three shooting over 42 percent from the floor. Redshirt Freshman Wesley Oba leads the team on the glass, averaging seven rebounds per game for the Cougars. Sophomore Jack Thompson averages five assists as well.
 
The Cougar defense has given up 74 points per game so far this season. They've forced 12.6 turnovers per game with 4.7 steals and 2.4 blocks per game.
 
The Mustangs
The Southwest Minnesota State Mustangs enter the week at 4-1 and are winners of four straight. They come off a 70-69 win at Sioux Falls. Averaging 70 points per game, the Mustangs are shooting 45.9 percent from the field and 36.3 percent from beyond the arc.
 
Sophomore Jake Phipps leads the Tigers on the offensive side with 17 points per game on 61.8 percent shooting. He also leads the Mustangs with 8.2 rebounds per game and has two double-doubles on the year. Senior Kenny Byers is also a key player for the Mustangs, averaging 14.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4 assists per game.
 
The Mustang defense allows only 62.6 points per game on 40.6 percent shooting. They force 13.4 turnovers per game with 7.4 steals and 3.0 blocks per game.
 
The Vikings
Augustana is off to a fast start in 2021-22 with its 6-1 record. The Vikings average 74 points per game while holding one of the league's best defenses that allows just 62.9 points scored against them per outing.
 
Much as he has the past two seasons, Tyler Riemersma is a double-double machine. He averages 17.1 points and 10.9 rebounds per game. The fewest rebounds he has secured in a single game this season are eight while owning two games of 14 rebounds.
 
Just behind Riemersma in scoring is Isaac Fink and his 17.0 points per game. Fink sinks the three-ball at a 45.5 percent clip while hitting 15 long-range shots over the seven games. Dylan LeBrun is the third Viking in double-figure scoring with 10.9 points per game.
 
One Last Thing
Coach Billeter has faced Sioux Falls 24 times in his career after the two squads resumed a series in the 2007-08 season. His record against the Cougars? 18-6.