13th-Ranked Vikings Snap Titans’ Win Streak

Augustana College (Ill.) won its ninth straight game with a 63-41 men's basketball victory over UW-Oshkosh on Sunday (Jan. 29) in Wisconsin Dells.

The Vikings (10-1), ranked 13th by D3hoops.com, held the Titans to 29 percent overall shooting (14-49). Augustana hit 46 percent from the field (27-59) while turning the ball over just 11 times. UW-Oshkosh had its winning streak end at three – the longest since 2009.

Leading 27-20 at halftime, the Vikings posted an 18-4 run to start the second period. Five offensive rebounds aided the spurt, including a put-back from Ben Ryan that made it 36-24. Mark Roth and Jawan Straughter followed with three-pointers to go ahead, 42-24, with 12:33 remaining.

Kyle Bolger finished inside to pull within 51-35 at the 5:50 mark. Augustana then scored eight of the next nine points to keep the Titans at a distance.

The Vikings, who are shooting 52 percent this season, were led by 11 points from Tayvian Johnson and nine by Danielius Jurgutis. Augustana held a 40-32 edge in rebounds after getting six apiece from Nic Hoepfner, Ben Ryan and Kevin Schlitter.

Dylan Wurtz topped UW-Oshkosh with 10 points and three assists. Andre Wallace acquired eight points and two blocks, while Bolger marked five points and three rebounds.

The first half was very competitive. Wurtz sparked the Titans to a 5-0 lead with an early three-ball. After Augustana tied the score at 7, Alex Olson drained a three-pointer to put UW-Oshkosh back on top.

With the scoreboard showing 17-17, the Vikings went off for 10 unanswered points. Two lay-ups were followed by a jump shot from Hunter Hill. Johnson canned a mid-range attempt with 1:34 on the clock to take a 27-17 lead.

Augustana nailed 5-of-15 three-pointers (33 percent) and 4-of-7 free throws (57 percent). UW-Oshkosh connected on 5-of-20 from downtown (25 percent) and 8-of-13 at the charity stripe (62 percent).

The Titans return home for a game against nationally ranked UW-Whitewater on Jan. 8.

By Jon Feyen