Box Score MOORHEAD, Minn. - Playing for a potential bid in the regional tournament, Augustana College moved a step closer with their 75-61 victory over Minnesota State University Moorhead on Friday night in Alex Nemzek Fieldhouse. The Dragons' loss drops them to 18-7, 14-7 in the NSIC, while the Vikings improve to 16-9, 13-8 in the conference.
The Dragons were able to jump out to a good start, matching the Vikings offensively while opening up a four-point lead. Guard
DJ Hamilton started the scoring for the Dragons, hitting a three-pointer two feet behind the line. Hamilton was able to find
Charlie Chapman in transition for an open three, and delivering laser-like passes to
Alex Novak under the basket for open dunks on way to his team-leading four assists.
With just nine minutes remaining in the first half, the Vikings went on a 10-2 run, eventually opening up a 16 point lead at the half. “Whenever we got a little momentum, they would just stab us in the heart,” said Chapman.
“For whatever reason we seemed out of sorts and we couldn't get back in a groove,” commented Coach
Chad Walthall. “It was one of those things that snowballed on us and got out of hand.”
The Vikings shot 7-for-12, 58.3%, three-pointers in the first half, with teammates Drae Murray and Leif Nomeland hitting three each. The Vikings continue to have the hot hands in the second half, and Yuriy Malashenko hit a three with just over eight minutes remaining in regulation to give the Vikings their largest lead at 68-42.
“They came out with a lot of firepower and made some shots in the first half,” said Chapman. “We had our chances in the second half, but they stayed hot and we weren't locking down on defense, we weren't hitting shots that we normally do, and it got away from us.”
“We have to guard better, rebound better, and move our feet,” said Coach Walthall on what the Dragons need to do to improve. “We seemed half a step slow all night. Now's not the time of year to be tired. You have to raise that level.”
MSUM finished the game 22-for-51, 43.1%, from the field, 10-for-20, 50%, from three, and 7-for-8, 87.5%, from the free throw line. The Dragons were led in scoring by Novak (13), Chapman (12), and Hamilton (10).
Augustana shot 28-for-58, 48.3%, from the field, 10-for-23, 43.5%, from three, and 9-for-12, 75%, from the free throw line. The Vikings had four players score in double digits: Cody Schilling (18), Murray (17), Malashenko (12), and Nomeland (11).
The Dragons play their final home game of the regular season tomorrow night at 6:00 in the Alex Nemzek Fieldhouse.
Steve d'Eustachio's Stat of the Game: Tonight was the first loss in four tries versus Augustana College in the two years under Coach Walthall. MSUM still remains perfect in the NSIC versus Bemidji State (4-0) and Southwest Minnesota State (2-0).
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