SIOUX FALLS – In a city rivalry matchup that went to the wire, Augustana (17-10, 12-9 NSIC) edged the (RV) University of Sioux Falls Men's Basketball Team (20-7, 16-5 NSIC), 61-58, at the Stewart Center.

With the setback, USF retains a one-game lead over Upper Iowa (18-9, 15-6 NSIC) in the NSIC South. The Cougars, which have already clinched a tie for the NSIC South crown, will face Wayne State on Senior Day on Saturday (Feb. 22) at 5:30 pm at the Stewart Center. USF will honor seniors Devin Green and Milan Surlic prior to the start of the game.

"We lost a tough one tonight but the guys battled hard," said USF Head Coach Chris Johnson. "We just have to find a way to rebound tomorrow against a good team from Wayne State," he said.

USF was led by sophomore guard Chase Grinde, who had 17 points, five rebounds, two steals and an assist in 31 minutes on the floor. Grinde, who now has 26 career double-digit scoring games, had his 18^th of the season. USF also had 13 points from freshman guard Jack Thompson who made 3-of-7 from three-point range. Green, who hit 2-of-3 from three-point range, supplied 10 points and eight rebounds.

In this closely contested battle of city rivals, the Cougars and Vikings had similar shooting marks as both teams played tough defense and rebounded. For just the third time this season, USF lost the rebound battle, 36-35. However, USF had a 12-9 edge in offensive boards. The Cougars hit 22-of-60 field goals for 36.7 percent. As for AU, which was led by 21 points from Isaac Fink, they hit 21-of-53 for 39.6 percent. The Cougars made 8-of-19 for 42.1 percent from 3-point range while AU made 8-of-16 for 50 percent. At the foul line, the Vikings had an 11-6 margin.

One of the key differences was AU had a 13-of-5 edge in points over turnovers. Still, USF stayed close with strength inside as the Cougars had a 24-to-22 margin of points in the paint and a 15-8 margin in second change points.

After USF took a 17-11 lead in the first half, the Vikings rallied with an 18-to-11 run to lead, 29-28 at the break. In a game with 10 lead changes and eight tie scores, the Vikings had a 32-30 advantage to take a three-point decision and a 38-37 margin in the all-time series. Still, the Cougars have won four of the past six games against their rivals just to the south.

Scoring Summary -
Early on the Cougars received a three and five total points from Thompson to tie the game at 5-5. Later Fink hit his third three of the half as the Vikings took an 11-9 lead over USF with 14 minutes to play. At the 12:36 mark, Austin Slater, who had six points and six rebounds, scored on an assist from Trevon Adams to tie the game at 11.

After Green and Teathloach Pal, who had six points and eight rebounds, converted baskets, the Cougars led 17-11 with 8:37 to play. AU responded with threes from Fink and Adam Dykman to forge a tie at the 6:44 mark. With a 12-2 run, the Vikings grabbed a 29-22 advantage with 1:41 to go in the first half. But as would be the case all night, whenever one side gained an advantage, the other side responded and quickly. In the final 101 seconds, USF had threes from Thompson (:54) and Green at the buzzer to draw within 29-28.

Neither team had a solid shooting first half as USF was 12-of-31 for 38.7 percent which included 4-of-11 from 3-point range. As for AU, they made 8-of-26 for 30.8 percent while hitting 54.5 percent from three and had a 7-0 edge in free throws. Both teams grabbed 19 rebounds.

With a dunk from Slater and a jumper from Grinde, USF extended its run to 10-0 across the two halves to take a 32-29 lead over AU with 18:36 to play.  Later, Thompson hit a three and made a pair of free throws as the Cougars led 37-31 with 6:41 to go.

The Vikings rallied with a 10-3 run to retake the lead at 41-40 when Michael Schaefer scored inside. But Adams knocked in a three for USF and Grinde's basket inside helped USF to a 47-45 advantage with 11:38 to play.

With a 12-6 run, AU grabbed a 53-49 lead over USF with 6:51 to play after Bennett Otto connected from three-point range, which was the eighth of the game for the Vikings. AU extended the lead to 55-49 after a Dylan LeBrun lay-up with 4:07 to play as the Cougars had a costly 3:34 scoring drought and a 1-of-12 shooting slump.

Then, Slater hit a pair of foul shots to end the scoring drought.  At the 3:06 mark, Grinde's three helped USF draw within 57-54. Green had back-to-back offensive boards to keep possession alive for the Cougars. Pal then converted 2-of-2 free throws as USF trailed, 57-56, with 1:37 to go. However, the Cougars couldn't get over the hump. The Vikings had a basket from Adam Dykman for a 59-56 lead. After Grinde scored with 51 seconds to go, the Vikings were able to corral two offensive rebounds and Fink's two foul shots with four seconds left gave AU the win and a split of the season series.