ROCK ISLAND -- The Augustana Vikings men's basketball team dropped a close battle to the No. 23 ranked and undefeated Illinois College Blueboys on Thursday, falling in overtime by a score of 82-78 from inside the Carver Center.

Augustana raced out to a fast start, scoring the game's first 10 points while holding the visitors scoreless for the first five minutes of the game. After the Blueboys notched their first basket to bring the game to 10-2, the margin dipped below double figures just once the rest of the first half as Augie dominated on both ends of the floor, shooting 40 percent overall and 50 percent from three on their way to a 43-point opening frame. The Vikings held the Blueboys to just 36.7 percent shooting from the field and one made three-pointer as they saw the lead grow to as many as 19 before a 5-2 spurt from Illinois College brought the score to 43-27 after 20 minutes of action. Nine different players scored for Augustana in the half, led by nine apiece from both Colton Gillingham and Zach Anderson. 

Back-to-back three-pointers from Tyler Knuth to begin the second half moved the cushion out to 22 points, but from there the Blueboys slowly began to chip away at the differential, getting it under 10 points with just over 13 minutes remaining. Despite the game reaching a single possession several times, the Vikings answered every run with small bursts of their own, pushing it back out to six at one point before a Chase Larsen four-point play turned a one-point lead into five with under three minutes to go. With the Vikings leading by three, the Blueboys pulled even for the first time all game on a converted and-one with 54 seconds showing on the clock. The two teams traded empty possessions to set up each team's second overtime experience of the year.

Illinois College took its first lead of the game with the first basket of overtime after a minute played, but Augie quickly pulled even again with a jumper from Larsen. Seven straight points from the Blueboys ensued, but consecutive made threes from Knuth brought the Vikings back within a single possession with under a minute showing. Illinois College fended off the late rally with a made free throw with four seconds remaining to put the game out reach at its 82-78 score.

Knuth led Augustana with 20 points on six made threes, while Larsen posted a double-double with 14 points and 14 rebounds. 

Augie drops to 3-9 with the loss and will be back in action at home on Saturday, December 30 against Benedictine.