SIOUX FALLS – Despite 19 points from sophomore guard Mack Johnson, the University of Sioux Falls men's basketball team (8-18, 5-15 NSIC) dropped a 78-61 decision to #2 Augustana before 3,687 fans at the Sioux Falls Arena.
Even in the loss, USF head basketball coach Chris Johnson felt that his squad put up a solid effort against a nationally ranked team.
“We gave all we had tonight. We competed,” said Johnson, whose team played without leading scorer Charles Ward (17.5 ppg, 5.5 rpg). “We fought and battled a nationally ranked basketball team on their home floor all game long. Give them (Augustana) credit they made some shots, but we can walk out of here with our heads held high,” he said.
Augustana, which moved to a school record 25-1, including 19-1 in the NSIC, picked up their 19 straight win. They had five players in double figures, led by Casey Schilling with 18 and Daniel Jansen with 16 points and seven rebounds.
As for USF, Johnson played solid, hitting 6-of-14 field goals, including 4-of-6 from three-point range. He also had four rebounds and two assists in 38 minutes of action. Cutler Finneman added a season best 13 points while sophomore guard Kebu Johnson had a career-high 10 points.
One of the keys to the win was the Vikings ability to get to the foul stripe. They hit 27-of-32 from the charity stripe while USF made all seven of its tries. From the field, the Cougars hit 23-of-53 shots for 43.4 percent, including a respectable 8-of-19 from three-point range. The Vikings were 20-of-44 from the floor and 11-of-20 from three-point range. With those 11 3's, opponents have hit 10 or more three-pointers against USF in six straight games.
The first half was a battle, particularly early as the two teams traded baskets with Finneman's three-pointer drawing USF within 10-9 with 13:11 to play in the half. Two minutes later (10:43), USF had a three from freshman James Lawson for a 16-15 mark. A three from M. Johnson tied the game at 19 with 9:21 to play. Then, Augustana had a five-point run for a 24-19 lead before USF had four straight points to cut the lead to 24-23 with 4:22 to play. After that back-and-forth flow of points, Augustana ended the half on a flurry with a 14-3 run for a 37-26 advantage.
The Vikings put some distance between them and the Cougars with an 8-2 run to open the second half for a 45-28 advantage with 16:50 to play. From that point, USF battled but without Ward, a young team couldn't sustain any measured runs. With 5:34 to play, Finneman's three cut the Augustana lead to 66-52.
While USF couldn't get the lead into single digits, they battled to the end with two foul shots from M. Johnson keeping the Cougars with 15 at 76-61.
Next weekend, USF closes the regular season with home games at the Stewart Center against Minnesota State, Mankato on Friday at 8 p.m. and Concordia St. Paul on Saturday at 6 p.m.
