SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - The Augustana men's basketball team saw its season come to a close on Monday night, falling 72-62 to NSIC North-champion Minnesota Duluth in the NSIC semifinals at the Sanford Pentagon.

With the loss, the Vikings' season concludes with a record of 19-10, the most wins in a season and first seminal appearance since 2021-22.

Tameron Ferguson had a team-high 14 points, five assists and two steals in the loss. Sam Rensch added 13 points and four rebounds in his final game as a Viking. Caden Hinker had 12 points and six rebounds while Amari Westmoreland-Vendiola had 10 points off the bench.

The Bulldogs ran out to a 17-7 lead early before a Fried layup and seven Te Slaa points brought the Vikings all the way back within a point at 17-16 at the 9:02 mark of the first half. It was all Bulldogs from there to close out the half, though, as they closed on a 15-4 run to take a 32-20 lead at the break.   

The offense continued to hum for UMD as the Vikings tried to get it going. With 13:06 to play in the game, the Bulldogs held a 47-31 lead. Amari Westmoreland-Vendiola knocked down a pair of free throws and Rensch converted an and-one to pull the Vikings within 11 points. 

After a UMD 3-pointer, Rensch hit two more free throws and Westmoreland-Vendiola got a putback to get within 10 points. The Bulldogs ended the mini-run with a jumper but Hinker hit a free throw and Ferguson got a tough layup to drop, bringing AU within 52-43 with 8:51 to go. 

Westmorland-Vendiola knocked down a 3-pointer at the 8:19 mark after a Bulldog jumper to bring the Vikings within eight. After five scoreless possessions, UMD banked in its second 3-pointer of the night to grow its lead back to double digits at 57-46 with 6:53 left. 

UMD grew its lead back to 13 points before Westmoreland-Vendiola hit another 3-pointer. After a Bulldog jumper, Rensch hit from deep and Hinker got a layup to get within 62-55 with 2:21 to go. The Bulldogs closed it out with a 10-7 run to end the game and the AU season.