LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Augustana men's basketball mounted a second-half comeback Saturday but came up short in a 75-73 loss to Ouachita Baptist University at the Brewer Sports Center on the second day of the NSIC/GAC Challenge.
Markus Talley led the Vikings with 23 points and eight rebounds. He shot 9-of-16 from the field, including three three-pointers, and added three assists.
JJ Ferrin scored 16 points and handed out five assists, while
Bennett Fried contributed 14 points and five rebounds.
Augustana faced a 15-point deficit at halftime after OBU shot 68 percent from the field and 70 percent from three-point range in the opening 20 minutes. The Vikings trailed 47-32 at the break.
Augustana responded after halftime, scoring 41 points while limiting OBU to 28. Talley and Ferrin helped lead the charge as the Vikings steadily cut into the deficit.
The comeback brought Augustana within two points late, but OBU made enough plays down the stretch to preserve the victory. Grayson scored the final points for the Tigers, giving them a 75-71 lead with 1:31 remaining. Ferrin answered with a basket to make it 75-73 with 1:10 left, but the Vikings could not complete the rally.
Augustana shot 46.3% from the field and 35.7% from three-point range. The Vikings also recorded 24 rebounds and 11 assists while scoring 41 points in the second half.
UP NEXT
Augustana men's basketball prepares for the East/West Challenge. The Vikings open the two-day event on Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. against Black Hills State in the Elmen Center.
