The Knights (3-2) rallied back from a 10-point first half deficit and held a 46-43 lead with 9:05 to play after junior guard Rance Cartmill nailed two free throws. The host Vikings (3-1) answered right back with five straight points and never relinquished the lead the rest of the way.
Wartburg kept it close all the way down to the end, tying the game at 57-57 with 3:37 left and pulling within three at 65-62 after junior guard Jason Steege drilled a three-pointer, forced a turnover and hit two free throws after being fouled with 52 seconds remaining. However, Augustana’s Jay McAdams-Thornton, capping a double-double effort of 20 points and 15 rebounds, converted a conventional three-point play on the ensuing possession.
Steege led all scorers with 24 points, three three-pointers and two steals. Senior guard Jordan Atchison compiled his fourth consecutive double-figure outing with 11 points and also turned in two steals.