Box Score
ROCK ISLAND, Ill. – Senior Kevin Schlitter (Maine South HS, Park Ridge, Ill.) and sophomore Ben Ryan (Washington HS, Washington, Ill.) each posted a double-double Friday to lead Augustana to a 76-56 win over the University of Chicago in the 2013-14 season opener at Carver Center. Schlitter had game-highs of 17 points, 11 rebounds, two blocked shots and two steals. Ryan also grabbed 11 boards to go with 15 points.
 
Ryan scored eight points as the Vikings jumped out to a 16-10 lead eight minutes in.
 
A pair of Sam Gage free throws got the Maroons within 25-21 at the 8:14 mark of the first half, but six different Augustana players scored in a 15-2 run that pushed the advantage to 40-23 with 2:46 left until halftime. However, Chicago scored the last seven points of the half to get within 40-30 at the break.
 
A bucket by Ryan and a three-point play by Schlitter started the second stanza as the Vikings never let the lead dip below double digits over the last 25 minutes of the contest. A three-pointer by junior Danielius Jurgutis (Downers Grove South HS, Darien, Ill.) pushed the lead to 20 for the first time at 55-35 with 13:44 remaining. A three-point play by Nic Hoepfner (United Township HS, East Moline, Ill.) with 2:33 left gave the hosts their biggest lead of the evening at 74-50 and a Jake Norcia (Highland Park HS, Highland Park, Ill.) jumper with the shot clock expiring at the 1:29 mark equaled that 24-point margin.
 
Led by Ryan's 7-for-8 and Schlitter's 6-for-7, Augustana shot .491 (26 of 53) from the field. The Vikings connected on seven of 13 (.538) from beyond the arc with Jurgutis, junior Mark Roth (Washington HS, Metamora, Ill.) and sophomore Griffin Pils (Libertyville HS, Libertyville, Ill.) knocking down a pair of treys each. The hosts were also 17-21 (.810) from the free throw line and outrebounded Chicago by a 51-28 margin.
 
Jurgutis joined Schlitter and Ryan in double digits with 10 points. Hoepfner chipped in with seven points and seven rebounds in 14 minutes off the bench and in 13 minutes, sophomore Brandon Motzel (Carmel HS, Buffalo Grove, Ill.) had a bucket, four rebounds and tied Roth with a game-high three assists.
 
Off to a 1-0 start, Coach Grey Giovanine's club travels to Platteville, Wisconsin on Tuesday, November 19 to take on the Pioneers of Wisconsin-Platteville. Tip off at Williams Fieldhouse is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.