SIOUX FALLS -- Despite two players in double digits, including 12 points from Teathloach Pal and 10 points from Jake Kettner, the (RV) University of Sioux Falls Men's Basketball Team (6-3, 4-3 NSIC) dropped a close 67-65 decision to city rival Augustana (7-5, 5-5 NSIC) on Friday, Feb. 12 in the Stewart Center. 
 
While the Cougars built a lead early and maintained it for most of the game, a late rally by the Vikings gave Augustana a second straight win in the series and an overall 39-37 series advantage. With the loss, USF is 4-3 in the South (6-3 overall) and sits fourth with three games left in the regular season.

After USF took a 57-48 lead, Augustana closed with a 19-10 run as they used some crucial free throw shooting in the final two minutes of play. USF led 59-55 late but then AU had a 12-6 run in the final minutes to take the victory.

The shooting percentages were pretty even across the board for both teams throughout the night, with the Cougars going 25-of-57 from the floor for 43.9 percent, while the Vikings hit 23-of-53 for 43.4 percent. Both USF and AU respectively knocked down five three-pointers during the game. But it was at the foul line where the VIkings had the advantage, outscoring USF, 16-to-10. The VIkings also had a 32-31 rebound margin as the Cougars lost the rebound battle for the second time this season.

"It was a tough game to lose but both teams battled all night," said USF Head Coach Chris Johnson, whose team will host Augustana at 4 pm at the Stewart Center on Saturday afternoon. "We had some good moments but give them credit, they made a late push to take them over the top," he said. "We just need to find a way to rebound tomorrow."

USF was led by senior forward Teathloach Pal, who recorded 12 points, eight rebounds, and three blocked shots. For Pal, who will be honored during a Senior Day presentation prior to Saturday's game, he now has 32 double-digit scoring games in his career. Redshirt freshman Jake Kettner  added 10 points, including two three's and a huge slam dunk early in the game. Kettner now has three double-digit scoring games on the season. 
 
Troy Houghton and Jack Thompson each added nine points for the Cougars, with Thompson grabbing four rebounds and Houghton dishing out four assists. 
 
USF vs Augustana Breakdown 
 
In the opening 20 minutes, USF was able to build a 36-27 lead by hitting 48.1 percent from the floor on 13-of-27 shooting. Of that total, USF had four triples (12 attempts) and made six free throws while owning a 17-15 rebound edge. The Cougars were led by Pal with 10 points and four rebounds plus three blocks and two steals. Jake Kettner added seven and Marco Coudreau had six (two triples). For Augustana, they were led by Jameson Bryan with seven points, but the Vikings hit just 10-of-28 field goals for 35.7 percent. They were 2-of-10 from three and made all five of their free throws.

After Augustana opened the scoring, USF's Chase Grinde knocked down a three for a 3-2 lead at the 19:11 mark. After the Vikings tied it up (5-5), Pal converted inside for a 7-5 lead. Later, USF had a 15-7 lead before Michael Schaefer's three-point play cut the USF lead to 15-10 at the 13:13 mark.  At the 11:07 mark Coudreau knocked in a three but Jameson Bryan of Augustana answered as USF led, 24-15. Coudreau hit his second triple for a 27-19 lead at the 9:16 mark.  With 5:01 to play in the first half, Kettner knocked in a triple for a 32-23 advantage and the Cougars rode the advantage to a nine-point halftime advantage. 

In the second half, the Vikings opened on a 7-2 run to cut the USF lead to 38-34 with 15:02 to play. Then, USF's Wesley Oba, who scored four points and grabbed five rebounds, converted inside for a 40-34 lead.  With 10:44 to play,  Houghton converted inside as the Cougars took a 48-41 lead. With 7:55 to play, Kettner's second triple gave USF a 53-45 lead.  After a basket from Austin Slater, who finished with eight points and four rebounds,  USF had a 57-48 lead with 6:06 to play in the second half. 

At that point, the Vikings took control. They closed on a 19-to-10 run to pick up a 67-65 win. First, Augustana used a 7-1 run to draw within 58-55 before Houghton's free throw gave USF a 59-55 lead.  Adam Dykman scored inside at the 2:37 mark to cut the lead to 59-57. Two free throws by Isaac Fink tied the game at 59.  

After Augustana took a 61-59 lead, Slater hit a pair of foul shots with 45 seconds to play to forge a tie. Then Dykman converted two foul shots for a 63-61 lead and with two late foul shots from Isaac Fink, the Vikings held on for the victory, its second straight by three points or less.