Elmhurst Falls to Third-Ranked Augustana

ELMHURST, Ill. - The Elmhurst College men's basketball team fell to 7-12 overall and 2-6 in CCIW play following a 73-49 loss to third-ranked Augustana College.

Augustana (19-0, 8-0 CCIW) remained unbeaten on the season with the victory. The Vikings raced out to a 7-0 lead before a 12-5 run by Elmhurst knotted the score at 12-12. Augustana rattled off 10 straight points to grab a 22-12 lead, and the Vikings finished the final 12:30 of the half on a 30-8 run.

In the second half, the Vikings pushed their lead to as many as 25 points and never let the Bluejays get closed than a 17-point deficit while cruising to the 24-point victory.

Elmhurst shot only 33.3 percent (18-of-54) from the field, including 31.3 percent (5-of-16) from three-point range. The Bluejays also struggled at the foul line, hitting only 8-of-15 attempts (53.3 percent).

Augustana finished the contest hitting 44.0 percent (22-of-50) of its shots. The Vikings made a living at the foul line, hitting 27-of-39 free throws (69.2 percent). Augustana outscored Elmhurst 34-16 in the paint and outrebounded Elmhurst by 18 (45-27). 

Steve Crane came off the bench to lead the Bluejays in the loss with a team-high 15 points. James Robertson added nine points while Aaron Schroeder scored eight for the Bluejays.

Ten different players tallied points for the Vikings. Kyle Nelson led the way with 16 points and five rebounds. Bryan Voiles added 12 pints while Troy Rorer scored 10. Brian DeSimone chipped in with nine points for the Vikings.

Elmhurst travels to Millikin University on Wednesday, February 2.