ROCK ISLAND, Ill. — Nathan Drury hit for 32 points to lead Carroll to a 73-69 victory over Augustana in the first round of the NCAA Division III national tournament on Thursday, March 1 in the Roy J. Carver Center. It was just the second home loss of the season for the Vikings and Drury was a big part of it. He connected on 12 of 22 from the field, including four of nine from three point range and he was four of five from the free throw line. He also had five steals, two assists and four rebounds.

The tone for the game was set in the first half when Carroll, the champion of the Midwest Conference, took a 33-29 lead at intermission. The Pioneers got 10 points from Drury but more importantly, committed just one turnover while forcing Augustana into 13.

After trailing 39-33 early in the second half, the Vikings went on a 19-5 run to take a 52-44 lead with 9:41 left to play when Dain Swetalla nailed a jumper. However, Drury scored nine of his team’s next 13 points as Carroll went on a 13-0 run to take a 57-52 lead with 6:34 left to play in the game. Augustana cut it to three on two separate occasions but could get no closer. Drury hit four straight free throws and Ben Fischer nailed two in the final :22 to keep the Vikings at bay.

Joining Drury in double figures for the Pioneers was Wes Ladwig with 10. Ladwig also led his team in rebounding with seven. Carroll was extremely efficient with the ball, turning it over just eight times.

Jordan Delp was the leading scorer for Augustana with 22 points while Dain Swetalla had 13 and Shaun Rose dropped in 10. The Vikings pounded the Pioneers on the boards 39-29 with Rose grabbing seven and Chandlor Collins snaring six. Augustana was haunted by 19 turnovers.

The two teams were fairly evenly matched in shooting with Carroll hitting .450 (27-60) from the field and Augustana shooting at a .474 (27-57) clip.

The Vikings fine season ends with a 22-6 record while Carroll extends it mark to 17-8 and will play St. Thomas on Saturday night in St. Paul, Minnesota.