Crookston, Minn. – Augustana used a huge first half and a 28-point halftime lead to defeat the Golden Eagles by 19, 78-59 on Saturday night. Minnesota Crookston outscored the Vikings by nine in the second half, but it wasn't enough to overcome the large halftime deficit.
 
With the loss, the Golden Eagles fall to 7-14 overall (4-11 NSIC), while the Vikings win their sixth straight game, improving to 17-2 (11-2 NSIC).
 
The hot shooting Vikings would start out the first half on a 14-0 run, which forced a Dan Weisse timeout.
 
The timeout seemed to work, as the Golden Eagles would score the next five points on a Jerome Mabry (R-So., G, Milwaukee, Wis.) three and an Uzo Dibiamaka (R-So., G, Adelaide, Australia) layup.
 
The Vikings would score the next 11 points to extend their lead to 20, midway through the first 20 minutes.
 
Minnesota Crookston would eventually cut that lead to 14, following two of Marcus Thompson (R-Jr., F, Brooklyn, N.Y.) team high 14 points.
 
The Vikings would take control of the half and take a 47-19 lead into the halftime break. It was the largest deficit the Golden Eagles have faced at the halftime break this season.
 
The Golden Eagles would not go away in the second half. The Golden Eagles would score 17 of the half's first 22 points to cut the Viking lead to 16, highlighted by a pair of Thompson layups and a pair of Leonard Dixon (R-Jr., F, Demascus, Ore.) three's.
 
Defense would be the story in the second half, as the Vikings scored just five points 10 minutes into the half.
 
With 8:21 left in the game, Ron Kirk, Jr. (Fr., G, Milwaukee, Wis.) would bury a layup and Dixon would bury his third three of the half to cut the Viking lead to just eight, sending Lysaker Gymnasium into a frenzy.
 
The Vikings would score the game's next seven points to extend their lead back up to 15, but Zach Westphal (R-Sr., G, West Fargo, N.D.) and Thompson would answer with a pair of jumpers to make it 11.
 
The Golden Eagles would get as close as 10, but the nationally ranked Vikings were able to hold off the Golden Eagles to earn the 19-point victory.
 
For the second straight night, the Golden Eagles had at least four in double-figures, led by Thompson's 14 points and nine rebounds. Dixon and Dibiamaka each finished with 12, while Mabry finished with a career-high 10 points.
 
Minnesota Crookston shot 36.5 percent from the field, but were 51.6 percent from the field in the second half, including burying six makes from deep in the second 20. One night after dominating the glass against Wayne State, the Golden Eagles lost the rebound battle, 36-35.
 
Next weekend, the Golden Eagles resume divisional play as NSIC North foe UMary comes to town for a huge Friday night matchup. Tip-off is set for 7:30 from Gary Senske Court.