SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – An 18-3 run lifted the Augustana men's basketball team to a 74-62 win over Southwest Minnesota State Saturday to close out the regular season. The Vikings move to 23-2 on the season and won the NSIC by two games with a 17-2 record. In addition, the Vikings completed a perfect home regular season.
 
Leading 40-39 near the midway point of the second half, Augustana embarked on an 18-3 run to create the needed separation for the win. The run was a balanced attack with Bennett Otto scoring six points, Adam Dykman and Jameson Bryan three points, Akoi Akoi, Isaac Fink and Tyler Riemersma each adding two points.
 
The run began with a layup for Akoi and was aided with a layup from Fink. It was truly off to the races on an Otto 3-point basket for a 47-39 lead, forcing a Mustang timeout. That timeout did little good for the visitors as AU ran off an 11-3 run following the break for a 58-42 lead with 9:17 on the clock.
 
From there, the Vikings held off Southwest Minnesota State for the 74-62 final score.
 
Four of the five starters scored in double figures for AU led by Dykman and his 16 points. Riemersma tallied 14, Dylan LeBrun 13 and Fink 12. Riemersma ended a rebound shy of a double-double with nine rebounds while Dykman had seven.
 
The story of the game was the celebration and culmination of a special season for Augustana, winners of its third NSIC Championship and sixth total conference championships. Following the victory, the Vikings cut the nets in the Sanford Pentagon to celebrate the regular-season championship while receiving the official NSIC South Division and Overall championship plaque.
 
Augustana returns for postseason play on Saturday, Feb. 26 at 1:30 p.m. in the quarterfinals of the NSIC Tournament. The Vikings will play the winner of Wednesday's game between Southwest Minnesota State and Minot State in Minot, North Dakota.
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