BOXSCORE

MINNEAPOLIS -- Two 3-pointers by Ben Flavin (JR, Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville North HS) in the final ten seconds weren't enough as Gustavus was able to hold off a late Augsburg charge in an Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference overtime thriller at Si Melby Hall. With the win, Gustavus moves to 5-1 overall (4-0 MIAC), while Augsburg falls to 4-2 overall (1-2 MIAC).

Augsburg finished with four players in double-figures on the night. Flavin led the Auggies with 13 points and five assists. David Olson (SR, Lindstrom, Minn./Chisago Lakes HS) and Jon Cassens (SR, Prior Lake, Minn.) finished with 12 and 11 points respectively, while Cassens posted a season-high eight assists. Brett Sorenson (SO, Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville South HS) led the Auggies on the boards, recording nine rebound on the night. Cory Polta (SO, Spring Lake Park, Minn.) and Zachary Eastman (JR, Chaska, Minn.) both provided a big spark off the bench for the Auggies. Polta finished with 10 points and four rebounds, while Eastman finished a perfect 3-for-3 from behind the arc.

Gustavus was led offensively by the duo of Seth Anderson and Ryan McPartland. Anderson posted a game-high 18 points, while McPartland recorded 17 points and seven rebounds. Paul Blacklock grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds for the Gusties and added nine points.

The Augsburg offense started slowly as the Auggies found themselves down 18-8 with just under 11 minutes to play in the first half. A jumper by Marcus Brumm (FY, Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville South HS) at the 8:36 mark sparked a 15-6 Augsburg run to close the half, giving Gustavus a 24-23 lead at the intermission.

Augsburg's Olson hit a 3-pointer two minutes into the second half to tie things up at 26-26 and the Auggies took their first lead since the opening two minutes of the game on a layup by Olson on the following possession. The score would be tied eight more times in the half and both teams battled in an evenly matched contest. Augsburg held a four point lead with 1:53 to play but a layup by Blacklock and a pair of free throws by Phil Wirtjes with 11 seconds left sent the game into overtime.

Gustavus used a 8-2 run to start the overtime and force Augsburg to play catch-up. The Auggies hit two 3-pointers in the final ten seconds to cut the lead to 75-72 but were forced to foul giving the Gusties two free throws with three seconds left on the clock. The Gusties converted on both, giving Gustavus a 77-72 win over the Auggies.

Gustavus returns to action on Saturday when they host Bethany Lutheran in a non-conference contest. The Auggies are off until Dec. 19 when the travel to Puerto Rico for a non-conference contest.