SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The Augustana men's basketball program dropped an 88-74 contest in the quarterfinal round of the NSIC Tournament to No. 11 Minnesota Duluth. The Vikings could not overcome an early second half deficit as Jadan Graves poured in 24 points.
 
In addition to Graves output, Arhman Lewis put in 18 points, Isaac Fink 13 and Caden Hinker 11. Hinker ended with a double-double of 11 points and 12 rebounds.
 
After a slow start, making just one shot attempt in the first three minutes, the Vikings rolled off a 14-6 stretch while going 4-of-4 from 3-point distance. That took a 6-2 deficit and flipped to a 16-12 lead in that stretch.
 
Graves dropped in nine points while Akoi Akoi hit a trey and Arhman Lewis a jumper as part of the run.
 
The two squads continued to trade baskets, culminating in a 36-all tie with 3:11 on the clock. From there, the Bulldogs reeled off 10-straight points to enter halftime with a 46-36 lead.
 
The momentum continued in the No. 11 Bulldogs favor to open the second half growing to 14 points just four minutes into the half at 54-40. After a Vikings made-free throw and a jumper from UMD, the largest lead of the game to that point was 15 points.
 
Augustana then began to push back, pulling within six points after an Isaac Fink old-fashioned 3-point play. The graduate student drove the right side of the lane through it off the top of the backboard while getting fouled to make the score 59-53.
 
After a strong defensive stop, the Vikings got the ball back where Fink was sent to the charity stripe to pull AU within four points at 59-55.
 
The script quickly flipped on AU as the Bulldogs embarked on an 8-0 run to regain a 67-55 advantage forcing a Vikings' timeout with 10:09 on the clock.
 
A Caden Hinker layup put an end to the Bulldogs' run.
 
Back-to-back 3-point baskets pulled the Vikings within seven points with just under five minutes on the clock. First it was a Lewis trey for a 76-68 score. Then Graves hit a corner 3-point basket for the 78-71 score with 4:31 on the clock.
 
Minnesota Duluth again went on a run, this time a 7-0 run to end the hopes of an AU comeback in the 88-74 final score.
 
Holding a current ranking of No. 9 in the NCAA Central Region, it is assumed the Vikings season has concluded, unable to move up into the top eight of the rankings. With that, the Vikings record concludes at 19-11 with the careers of Isaac Fink, Jadan Graves and Bennett Otto coming to an end.