SIOUX FALLS – In a city rivalry battle, which included 10 lead changes and six times, the University of Sioux Falls Men's Basketball Team (4-4, 0-2 NSIC) dropped a 72-67 decision to Augustana (7-1, 1-1 NSIC) on Thursday night at the Sanford Pentagon.

USF, which trailed just 26-25 at halftime, was outscored 46-42, in the second half. With the loss, USF is now 0-2 in league play and 4-4 overall. They now trail Augustana, 41-37, in the all-time series. The two schools will meet later this year on Thursday, Feb. 17 at the Stewart Center. Next for USF will be a home game against Wayne State at 3:30 pm on Saturday at the Stewart Center.

Against AU, the Cougars were led by 18 points from freshman guard Jake Kettner, who hit 5-of-11 shots from the field and was 4-of-7 from three-point range. Sophomore guard Jack Thompson chipped in with 13 points, eight assists, two steals and three rebounds. Freshman forward Wesley Oba had his first career double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds while recording two blocked shots.

For the game, USF hit 25-of-59 field goals for 44 percent and made 7-of-21 from the three-point range for 33.3 percent. USF, which had a 36-to-27 rebound edge, hit 10-of-14 from the line. USF added 11 assists and five steals while owning a 22-to-12 margin in second-chance points. USF's largest lead of the game was two points twice in the second half. 

The Vikings were led by Dylan LeBrun with 21 points while Tyler Riemersma had 18. AU, which led by 10 at 20-10 at 6:10 of the first half, made 27-of-53 for 50.9 percent. They converted 3-of-11 from three-point range but had 15-of-22 from the free-throw line for a five-point edge. AU also had a 36-to-28 edge in paint points and an 11-to-7 margin on the break.

Scoring Summary
Augustana opened up a 10-point lead in the first half before USF closed on a 15-4 run to trail just 26-25 halftime. In the opening half, USF made 11-of-29 field goals for 37.9 percent and was 3-of-11 from three for 27.3 percent. The Cougars did not shoot a free throw and trailed in rebounds, 17-16. The Cougars had seven turnovers but recorded four steals while dishing five dimes.

The Cougars had a tough start as the Vikings jumped to an 8-0 lead before Will Konradt converted an assist from Thompson at the 13-minute mark. Then Matt Cartwright knocked in a jumper at 12:27 as USF trailed, 10-4.  Later, Thompson drove for a basket and after a flush from Kondrat cut lead to 12-10.  The Vikings followed with an 8-0 run but Kettner scored five straight points as USF reduced the margin to 20-15. USF continued its comeback, as a three from Thompson off the break with two seconds to play made it a one-point game at halftime.

In the second half, USF continued the run to 18-4 after a three from Kettner gave USF a 28-26 lead with 19:30 to play. After a dunk from Oba and another three from Kettner, USF led 37-35 with 15:47 to play. For AU, Riemersma answered with a three-point play for a 38-37 lead (15:35). Another basket from Oba provided USF with a 43-42 lead and 13:40 on the clock.

At the 9:37 mark, the Cougars trailed, 49-48, after a basket from Riemersma. When Grinde hit two foul shots, USF trailed just 55-53 and 7:31 to go. Just seconds left, Kettner nailed a three for a 56-56 tie. It was Kettner coming through again with two at the foul line to draw USF within, 63-60 at the 4:43 mark. 

However, USF was unable to take back the lead. After Augustana led, 67-62, Oba had a pair of foul shots with 56 seconds to play. But, there wasn't enough time as the Vikings continued to make foul shots to hold off the Cougars and pick up the win.