MANKATO, Minn. - The Augustana basketball team delivered a poised road performance Saturday evening, knocking off Minnesota State 76-68 on Saturday night in the Taylor Center. 

The Vikings (6-4, 4-1 NSIC) led for nearly the entire contest and answered every Minnesota State push, improving to 4-1 in league play while handing the Mavericks (7-6, 1-4 NSIC) their fourth conference loss.

Caden Hinker led all scorers with 24 points on 7-of-10 shooting, adding 10 rebounds for a double-double. Tameron Ferguson finished with 20 points, seven rebounds and five steals, while Sam Rensch contributed nine points, five rebounds and four assists. Augustana shot 45.6 percent from the field and went 18-of-23 at the free-throw line, including 14-of-18 in the second half.

Augustana struck first, as Ferguson scored the opening basket in the paint and the Vikings jumped out to an early lead behind efficient shooting. Minnesota State responded with early perimeter shooting, briefly taking its only lead of the game at 26-25 midway through the first half. Augustana answered immediately, reclaiming control behind interior scoring from Caden Hinker and steady ball movement.

The Vikings closed the first half strong, getting key baskets from Ferguson and Sam Rensch while holding the Mavericks scoreless over the final minute. A Ferguson layup in the closing seconds gave Augustana a 35-31 lead at the break.

Minnesota State opened the second half with renewed energy, cutting the deficit to two after a pair of baskets from Caden Kirkman. Augustana answered again as Tanner Te Slaa knocked down a three-pointer and Hinker converted a second-chance layup to push the lead back to five.

The Mavericks continued to chip away, tying the game at 39-39 and later at 43-43, but each tie was short-lived. Ferguson attacked the lane to regain the lead, while Rensch and Hinker combined to keep Augustana ahead entering the final 10 minutes.

With just over nine minutes remaining, Minnesota State briefly regained momentum and took a 53-52 lead following a Traijan Sain layup. The Vikings responded with composure, as Ferguson scored on a drive and Hinker buried a three-pointer to swing the lead back in Augustana's favor.

The decisive stretch came in the final four minutes. With the game tied at 57-57, Ferguson drilled a three-pointer to ignite a 9-0 Augustana run. Moments later, Bennett Fried finished a fast-break dunk following a Minnesota State turnover, giving the Vikings a commanding 66-57 lead with under two minutes remaining.

Minnesota State attempted to rally with late three-pointers, but Augustana remained flawless at the free-throw line. Hinker and Te Slaa combined to go 8-for-8 from the stripe in the final minute, sealing the road victory.

The Vikings return home on Thursday, hosting Winona State at 5:30 p.m., inside the Elmen Center.