Box Score

ROCK ISLAND, Ill. – Augustana rallied from a 10-point second-half deficit Saturday, outscoring Carroll 34-20 over the final 16 minutes to post a 66-62 win at Carver Center. The Vikings improved to 12-3 overall and 4-2 in the CCIW, while the Pioneers dropped to 4-11 on the season and 0-6 in the league.
 
With 16:16 to play, Kale Maupin parlayed a Nick Penny offensive rebound into a layup that gave Carroll a 42-32 lead, matching its biggest of the night. However, junior Chrishawn Orange (Jacobs HS, Algonquin, Ill.) answered with consecutive baskets for Augustana, sparking 27-6 run over 11 minutes that took the Vikings from down 10 to up 11.
 
Orange added three free throws with 10:52 to play that pulled the hosts to within 46-43 and junior Nolan Ebel (Regis Jesuit HS, Denver, Colo.) scored the next five points. His three-pointer at the 8:57 mark gave Augustana its first lead (48-46) of the night. Orange tallied a conventional three-point play and Brett Benning (Dakota HS, Davis, Ill.) had back-to-back buckets. A pair of Ebel free throws capped the run and put the Vikings on top 59-48.
 
The Pioneers wouldn't go away though, responding with a 10-2 run to get within three (61-58) on a Maupin three-pointer with 1:21 left. Ebel found senior Dylan Sortillo (Bettendorf HS, Bettendorf, Iowa), who beat the shot clock with a trey from the right corner to put Augustana ahead 64-58 with 38 seconds to play. A Maupin layup with 14 seconds left eventually pulled the visitors to within 65-62, but Ebel split a pair of free throws at 0:08 to ice it.
 
Carroll led for nearly the entire first half. Joel Heesch gave the Pioneers a 2-0 lead before sophomore Micah Martin (Iowa City HS, Iowa City, Iowa) scored to forge the only tie of the night. Heesch scored again and Carroll would lead for the next 29 minutes. The margin reached nine on three occasions before the Pioneers settled for a 34-27 lead at the break.
 
The Vikings shot 23 of 48 (.479) for the game, but a blistering .667 (14-21) in the second half. They connected on seven of 20 (.350) three-point attempts and 13 of 23 (.565) free throw tries. Carroll hit 22 of 48 (.458) from the floor, nine of 16 (.563) from beyond the arc and nine of 12 (.750) from the foul line. Augustana was outrebounded 32-26, but forced 18 turnovers, while committing just 12.
 
Orange and Ebel led the way for the Vikings with 17 points apiece. Each scored 10 in the second half. Ebel also had six assists and two steals. Benning and senior A.J. Dollmeyer (Polo HS, Polo, Ill.) each grabbed four rebounds. Heesch led five Pioneers in double figures with a game-high 18 points. Tanner Zaeske snared a game-high seven boards.
 
After a three-game home stand, Augustana is back on the road for its next three. On Wednesday, January 17, the Vikings travel to Elmhurst to face the Bluejays. Tipoff at Faganel Hall is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.