Box Score
The Augustana men's basketball team got a glimpse of the future as the Vikings routed Dakota State 103-51 Tuesday night at the Elmen Center.
Seven Vikings, including three freshmen, scored in double figures, as the Vikings shot a season-high 60 percent from the field. Augustana was on fire in the second half, outscoring DSU 61-29, as the Vikings connected on 67 percent (24 of 36) of its field goals.
Leading the way in the second half were a pair of freshmen -
Derrick De Zeeuw and
Nathan Truex. De Zeeuw scored 11 of his career-high 13 points in the second half, while Truex netted 10 of his career-high 12 points after intermission. A third freshman,
Cody Schilling, poured in 12 points and grabbed a game-high 9 rebounds.
Four other Vikings joined the freshmen in double figures. Junior
David Foster scored a game-high 15 points, while
Elliot Thomas scored 11.
Chad Hettermann scored 11 points and dished out 6 assists, both career highs, and
Mike Klepatz chipped in with 10 points.
Augustana (6-2) got off to a quick start by outscoring the Trojans 11-2 to open the contest. But the Vikings could not shake their visitors. However, after Dakota State climbed within 4 points at 19-15 with 9:35 to play, the Vikings began to pull away.
Augustana clamped down defensively, holding the Trojans scoreless for the next 6 minutes. Augie capitalized at the offensive end of the court by scoring 15 unanswered points to increase its lead to 34-15 with just under 4 minutes to play in the half. Schilling and Foster triggered the rally by knocking down 3-pointers on successive possessions to start the outburst.
In the half, Augustana shot 52 percent (15 of 29) from the field in the first half. Meanwhile, the Vikings limited the Trojans to 29 percent (8 of 28) shooting.
The Vikigs continued to shoot well in the second half. While DSU kept pace early in the half, Augie broke the game open midway through the period. Leading 59-37, Augustana went on a 19-5 run, including 7 points from Elliot Thomas, to boost the lead to 78-42.
Following 4 points by the Trojans, Augie reeled off 17 unanswered points over the next three-and-a-half minutes to put the game away at 95-46 with 4:30 on the clock. Foster ignited the rally with 7 straight points. De Zeeuw and Truex finished off the spurt by combining for the final 10 points.
While Augustana shot lights out in the second half, Dakota State shot only slightly better in the final 20 minutes. The Trojans made 12 of 34 shots (35 percent), but managed just 4 field goals in the final 12 minutes of the game.
The Vikings dominated the other statistical categories as well. Augie outrebounded DSU 42-28 and forced 21 turnovers compared to committing 12 of its own. The Vikings also had 26 assists, compared to only 7 for the Trojans.
Jason De Zeeuw was the only Trojan in double figures with 15 points.
Augustana will have the rest of the week off before traveling to Wayne, Neb., on Saturday to face Wayne State in an 8 p.m. contest.