SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The Augustana men's basketball team fell 80-59 Saturday to Sioux Falls inside the Sanford Pentagon. The loss drops AU to 5-4 on the season and 1-2 in the NSIC. Sioux Falls is 7-2, 2-1.
 
Augustana was led by Akoi Akoi and his 10 points on 4-of-5 shooting. Akoi was also 2-of-2 from 3-point range.
 
The Vikings jumped out to a 5-0 lead thanks to a layup by Eric Tiedman and a deep three from Akoi. That five-point advantage held with a 10-5 score when Jadan Graves sank a tray with 15:14 remaining in the opening half.
 
The Cougars claimed their first lead of the game at 12-10 on a 3-point basket of their own, but Caden Hinker quickly answered back with a jumper in the paint. USF then had its own answer which gave the visitors a lead it would hold onto for the remainder of the contest.
 
That lead would stretch to 15 points before the two squads would enter the intermission with USF leading 38-29.
 
After a pair of free throws from Tiedman to open the second half, it was USF who built its advantage to hold off the Vikings with the 80-59 final score.
 
Augustana takes to the road for its next two contests starting at Minnesota State Friday and at Concordia-St. Paul Saturday.
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