GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- The Augustana Vikings men's basketball team was defeated Friday night on the road, falling to the Calvin Knights by a score of 78-60 in the first of two games in Michigan this weekend.

It was a slow start for the Vikings as they struggled to hit shots, falling in an early hole to the Knights as the home team jumped out to a 15-4 lead. Calvin more than doubled up Augie shooting the ball in the first 20 minutes, hitting just under 58 percent while holding the Vikings to under 26 percent from the field. Dan Carr posted eight of his team-high 14 points in the opening half. He finished with second straight double double, also securing 15 rebounds. Calvin led 41-24 at the break.

The Vikings put up a mini run early in the second half to shrink the deficit to ten points five minutes in, but the Knights answered with one of their own scoring the next seven to push it back up to a margin of 17. Augustana never managed to get the deficit under ten points, despite playing a much more efficient final 20 minutes in which they shot 40 percent overall. The Knights followed up their hot shooting first half with a 48 percent mark in the second to maintain their lead and prevent any sort of comeback threat from the Vikings, resulting in the 78-60 victory.

"Calvin is a very good and well-coached team with veteran players," said head coach Tom Jessee. "I thought we really battled with some solid execution during stretches. Unfortunately, we just were not able to consistently play with the execution that was needed. All the credit goes to Calvin and their coaching staff."

Joining Carr in double figures was Nate Ortiz, who finished with 11 points on 5-13 shooting. Carter Duwa added nine.

The team will be back in action tomorrow against the Alma Scots. Tip is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. CST.