SIOUX FALLS – The University of Sioux Falls Men's Basketball Team (6-7, 3-4 NSIC), which struggled with shooting and turnovers, had a three-game winning streak snapped by #13 Augustana (12-1, 6-1 NSIC), 82-47, before 1,677 at the Stewart Center on Friday night. The game was part of the First Dakota National Bank Mayor's Cup.“We struggled shooting and had too many turnovers,” said USF head men's basketball coach Chris Johnson. “We have to get more consistency on the offensive end and show better ball security. It has hurt us all season. On the positive side, we outrebounded them,” he said.
To Johnson's point, the Cougars hit just 31.7 percent from the field on 19-of-60 shooting. After Mack Johnson hit the game's first three-pointer, USF had just one for the rest of the game as they were 2-of-17 from distance for 11.8 percent. Even at the foul line, USF had trouble, hitting just 7-of-17. In addition, USF had 18 turnovers, twice as many as Augustana (9). The 47 points tied a season-low (Central Missouri, 11/15/14).
On the night, senior guard Charles Ward led the Cougars with 15 points, hitting 7-of-14 from the field. For Ward, it was his 29th double digit scoring game of his career and his 13th straight in 2014-15. He also improved his career point total to 595. Sophomore guard Kebu Johnson had a career high 12 rebounds as USF won the rebound battle, 43-36. While the Cougars had nine players score in double digits, only Ward reached double digits. Junior forward Jordan Stotts had eight points and five rebounds.
Augustana, which won its fifth straight game, was led by NSIC Player of the Year candidate Daniel Jansen, who had 20 points, six rebounds and four assists. He hit 6-of-10 shots from the floor, including 4-of-6 from 3-point range. Alex Richter added 15 and Adam Beyer, 10, for the Vikings, which hit 48.3 percent from the floor on 28-of-58 shooting. Augustana, which recorded a third consecutive win over the Cougars, was 12-of-24 from three point range and 14-of-24 for 58.3 percent at the foul stripe.
After USF opened the scoring with the three from Johnson, Augustana gradually took control. A three-point shot from Richter provided Augustana with an 8-5 lead with 16:19 to play in the first half. Down 9-7 (15:35), USF failed to scored for nearly four minutes as the Vikings extended their lead to double figures, going up 20-9 with 10:11 to play in the half. A layup by Ward at the 7:41 mark trimmed the advantage to 22-14 but that as close as the Cougars would get the rest of the night. Augustana outscored USF, 18-12 over the rest of the half to take a 40-26 advantage at the break.
After Mack Johnson opened the second half with a basket, Augustana again held the upper hand. A 9-0 run built a 49-28 edge with 17:11 to play. By the 12:41 mark, the Vikings had a 60-32 advantage and the issue was settled.
The Cougars will look to rebound as they are back in NSIC action on Saturday with a 6 p.m. game against Wayne State at the Stewart Center.
