Vikings unleash powerful offense against Huskies

By Spencer Ferrell

Mirror Staff Writer
February 29, 2008

A crowd of life-size Oles filled the Elmen Center on Saturday, Feb. 24, when the Augustana Vikings battled an invasion from the St. Cloud State University (SCSU) Huskies. Augustana ended the night with an 86-68 score over SCSU, leaving the Vikings with a 19-7 record.

Though Augustana never lost the lead in the first half, it was not until the second half that they were able to widen the gap and close the game. 

Returning from a 45-40 lead at the half, Augustana scored an unanswered 11 points to increase the score to 56-40 within the first five minutes of the second half. The closest the Huskies came to challenging the lead was within 12 points, with a score of 62-50, but senior point guard Corey McIntosh and junior forward Eric Krogman’s points quieted the opposition.

McIntosh, Krogman, sophomore point guard David Foster and senior center Tom VerDouw all put up double figures throughout the night. McIntosh concluded the game with 22 points and 11 assists while Krogman finished with 12 points, Foster with 16 and VerDouw with 13. In the final home game of the regular season, the Vikings made Ole proud with an excellent victory.

“We played well, both offensively and defensively,” Coach Tom Billeter said. “It was a pretty big game.”

The victory garners Augustana a second place spot in the North Central Conference (NCC) and leaves SCSU at an overall 17-9 record.  The win also ensures Augustana’s hosting of a first-round NCC tournament game in the coming week.

Augustana also traveled to Vermillion Thursday, Feb. 28, to conclude the regular season against the University of South Dakota (USD) Coyotes.

“We want to finish on a positive note,” Billeter said.

The first round of tournament play begins on Wednesday, March 5.  Semifinals continue on Saturday, March 8, and finals conclude on Sunday, March 9.

Regionals will take place the following week on Saturday, March 15 - Tuesday, March 18.

The 2007-08 men’s basketball season has proven to be victorious and tremendously entertaining, especially with the addition of a newly designed mascot.

“Personally, I like it,” Billeter said.  “It’s much more usable. A lot of people don’t like change; I understand that part of it.  As a coach, it’s friendly. It radiates competition.”