Men's Basketball 12/30/03 -- Augustana (S.D.) 87, Augsburg 66 

BOXSCORE

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (12/30/03) - Justin Van Meeteren (Sr., Sheldon, Iowa) led five players in double figures with 14 points and 11 rebounds to lead Augustana College to an 87-66 victory over the Auggies Tuesday night in the Elmen Center.

The loss snaps a three-game winning streak for the Auggies dropping them to 5-4 and Augustana, a Division II school, improves to 3-9. With the victory, Augustana head coach Tom Billeter's recorded his 100th career victory.

Augustana never trailed in the contest, jumping out to a quick 9-2 lead two minutes into the game. The lead eventually grew to 28-13 with 11:30 left in the half before Augsburg (5-4) cut the lead to six at 33-27. Kevin Keto (Fr., Forest Lake, Minn.) and Lucas Olson-Patterson (Jr., Minneapolis, Minn./Robbinsdale Cooper HS) chipped in 6 and 5 points during the comeback. However, Augustana closed out the half with an 11-1 run to take a 44-28 lead at intermission.

The Auggies continued to challenge the Vikings in the second half gradually chipping away at the lead. Augsburg cut the lead in half to 59-51 with 13:06 to play. Marcus “Rico” Gholson (Sr., Gary, Ind./William A. Wirt HS) scored 8 of his game high 19 points during the run.

Unfortunately, Augsburg could not overcome the lead as Augustana went on a 17-6 run in the final 8 minutes of play to finish the game.

Along with VanMeeteren, Augustana's James Borom (Jr., Merriville, Ind.), Rod Henry (Sr., Zion, Ill.), Jon Wagner (Sr., Apple Valley, Minn.), and Chris Harris (Sr., Matteson, Ill.) all scored in double figures.

Olson-Patterson was the only other Auggie to score in double figures with 11 points. Casey Zilka (Sr., Eden Prairie, Minn.) led the Auggies in rebounds with 8.

Augsburg returns to action this Saturday, Jan. 3rd heading to St. Thomas in MIAC action. Game time is set for