SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The Augustana men's basketball team travels just a block north Friday and Saturday to face Sioux Falls in a pair of NSIC contests. Friday's game is slated for 6 p.m. while Saturday will be played at 4 p.m. inside the Stewart Center.
 
A very limited number of tickets may be available but must be purchased ahead of arriving to the gym at USFCougars.com.
 
Both contests will also be aired on MidcoSN2 with play-by-play from David Brown and analysis from Brad Newitt.
 
About the Vikings
Augustana is 6-5 on the season after snapping a quick two-game skid last Sunday with an 84-74 win over Southwest Minnesota State. The Vikings are 4-5 in the NSIC and need to tally a few wins to qualify for the NSIC Tournament.
 
In the Vikings' victory over SMSU, Michael Schaefer led a quartet of Vikings in double-digit scoring with 26 points while going perfect from the charity stripe at 9-for-9. Adam Dykman totaled 16 points and secured a team-high seven rebounds as the Vikings shot 52.7 percent from the field.
 
For the season, Augustana has six who average double-digit scoring led by Schaefer at 13.2 points. In all, the six are separated by just 1.4 points which is Dylan LeBrun who totals 11.8 points per game. On any given night, Augustana has proven any player can go off for 20-plus points as has been proven as all six have scored 20 points at least once this year. Other scorers in the group include Tyler Riemersma (12.7 ppg), Dykman (12.5), Matt Todd (12.3) and Isaac Fink (12.2). Riemersma is the top rebounder at 9.3 retrievals per outing.
 
About the Cougars
Sioux Falls enters with a 6-2 overall record while maintaining a 4-2 record within games considered NSIC contests in 2021. The Cougars are the first spot out of the NABC top-25 rankings and had been nationally-ranked until a weekend split at Wayne State.
 
USF prevailed this past Friday, 70-68, but got routed 71-46 the following day. Teathloach Pal led the way over the weekend averaging a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds over the two contests. Pal hit the game-winner on Friday as part of a 21-point performance. He shot just over 53 percent from the field on the weekend.
 
Pal is the Cougars' leader at 14.5 points and 9.3 rebounds per outing while shooting an efficient 52.1 percent from the field. He is joined in double-digit scoring by Jack Thompson with 12 points per outing.
 
The Cougars try to muddle it up on the defensive end allowing just 68.8 points per game, but in contrast, slow things down on offense with an average of just 67.4 points score of their own.
 
How to Watch
There are a number of ways on many devices to watch the Vikings in action. This weekend, the games will be televised on MidcoSN2 along with a free live stream at GoAugie.com/Live.
 
One Last Thing
In a statistical oddity, the Vikings are one game over .500 while holding a +7.7 scoring margin but Sioux Falls has a -1.4 scoring margin but have recorded a 6-2 overall record. Augustana will look to pour the points on, averaging 84.8 points per outing. USF slows the pace down and allows 68.8 points from its opponents.