SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - The Augustana men's basketball team clawed back from 23 down but couldn't overcome an early deficit in a 91-88 loss to Northern State on Saturday afternoon at the Elmen Center.

Tameron Ferguson scored 24 points and added seven assists and five rebounds to lead the way while Brady Helgren added a career-high 22 points and nine rebounds on 10 of 14 shooting. Sam Rensch poured in 19 points, Tanner Te Slaa added 12 and Amari Westmoreland-Vendiola had 10 points of his own to round out five in double-figures.

The Wolves (exploded out of the gate, racing to a 45-22 lead with 5:19 remaining in the first half while knocking down 11 of 18 from deep and 17 of 26 from the field.

Augustana answered in a hurry, going on a 13-0 run with six points from Helgren and five from Rensch to lead the way to get all the way back within 45-35 with 1:52 to go in the half.

In the final stages, the Vikings knocked down four free throws and the Wolves hit a pair of threes to take a 51-39 lead into the break.

Helgren scored four quick points, Ferguson got a layup and Te Slaa hit a free throw to trim the deficit to 51-46 with 16:49 left in the game. The teams split the next 10 points, with a Te Slaa 3-pointer capping the split and making it 56-51 with 15:30 to go.

The Wolves were able to answer AU baskets to keep them at arms length, a lead that would grow to 68-58 with 11:08 to play. Rensch got a layup to answer, Ferguson scored four points in a row and Westmoreland-Vendiola knocked down a pair of free throws to bring AU all the way back within 68-66 at the 9:02 mark.

NSU was able to answer with a 14-4 run to grow its lead back up to 82-70 with 3:58 to go. Te Slaa  stopped the run with a layup, Helgren hit a 3-pointer as the trailer and Ferguson forced a turnover and got a layup following a timeout to snip the deficit right back down to 82-77 with 3:02 to play.

The Vikings scored 11 points compared to eight from the Wolves, getting within 90-88 with 16 seconds remaining. After NSU went one of two at the line, The Vikings got a pair of open 3-point looks to tie the game but each chance hit front iron as the Wolves held on for victory.

Augustana returns to the road, starting with a 5:30 p.m., Friday matchup with MSU Moorhead.