SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – It was a weekend sweep for the Augustana men's basketball team as it topped Sioux Falls 75-66 Saturday on the USF campus. The win pushes the Vikings to an 8-5 overall record and 6-5 inside the NSIC South Division. Sioux Falls, who entered the weekend just outside the top spot in the division by a half-game, falls to 6-4 overall and 4-4 in division games.
Dylan LeBrun totaled a game-high 21 points while
Michael Schaefer added 17 points.
Tyler Riemersma totaled 11 points and 11 rebounds for his sixth double-double of the season.
Adam Dykman also reached the double-digit point threshold with 11 on 4-of-7 shooting.
After entering halftime leading by three points, Augustana struggled out of the gates in the second half and saw USF secure a five-point advantage at 43-38 with just under 14 minutes on the clock. However, a triple from Riemersma pulled the Vikings within two and started the two teams on a scoring race.
From there, the two squads went basket-for-basket, totaling six different tie scores from 47-all to 59-all.
With everything knotted at 59,
Matt Todd sank a free throw and after forcing a five-second call on defense,
Jameson Bryan sank a 3-point basket to lift the Vikings to a 63-59 lead at the five-minute mark.
After USF answered with a 3-point basket of its own, Augustana ran off six quick points to secure a 69-62 lead. After the Cougars made one last-ditch effort to make a comeback, the Vikings stopped the run while holding a 69-66 lead and did not allow USF to tally another point over the final 2:01 of the game.
Isaac Fink continued to make free throws, much as he has done all season, going 4-of-4 over the final 25 seconds.
Augustana shot 47.5 percent from the field for the game. After not connecting on a 3-point basket in the first half, the Vikings went 5-of-9 in the second half.
Sioux Falls was led by Teathloach Pal and Chase Grinde with 18 points apiece while the Cougars shot 39.7 percent from the field.
Augustana concludes the regular season Friday and Saturday by welcoming another strong NSIC South Division contending in Wayne State. The Wildcats swept this weekend and enter the regular-season finale holding first place in the south. Tickets for the contests to be played inside the Sanford Pentagon will go on-sale Thursday at 10 a.m.
--GoAugie.com--
