ROCK ISLAND -- The Augustana Vikings men's basketball team will return home on Wednesday, January 18 to welcome in the Elmhurst Bluejays as they wrap up the first half of conference action. 

Augustana enters the contest with a 4-12 overall record and 2-5 mark in the CCIW following a 65-50 road loss to the Illinois Wesleyan Titans on Saturday. The Vikings endured an off night shooting the ball, connecting under 30 percent from the field and 12 percent from behind the three-point line. Augie's defense kept them around in the first half and early on in the second, eventually taking a lead at 28-27 with seven straight points to kick off the second half, but a quick 11-0 run from the home team pushed their margin back out to double figures. The Vikings cut it as low as five at one point, but could not catch up as the TItans claimed the home win. Chase Larsen led the Vikings in scoring, securing 17 points on 8-15 shooting.

Elmhurst comes to Rock Island sporting an 11-5 overall record and 3-4 mark in conference. The defending national runner-up began the season on a high note, winning their first five games, but have since tailed off and have posted a 6-5 record since then. The Bluejays are winners in four of their last five outings, recently defeating Carroll 89-69 at home. The victory was after the team saw a three-game winning streak come to an end in a four-point loss at North Park. Elmhurst boasts four double-digit scorers this season, led by Wesley Hooker's 14.1 points-per-game mark.

The Vikings the all-time series over the Bluejays 98-50, but have dropped four straight, including all three meetings last season. The two teams squared off in the opening round of the CCIW Tournament back in February 2022, resulting in a 81-63 home victory for Elmhurst. Augie has won eight of the last 10 encounters inside the Carver Center.

Start time is scheduled for 7 p.m.