ROCK ISLAND -- The Augustana Vikings men's basketball team will return to action on Saturday, December 30 when they host the Benedictine Eagles in the final non-conference showdown of the season.

Augustana enters with a record of 3-9 and is coming off a close overtime loss last Thursday to undefeated and No. 23 ranked Illinois College by a score of 82-78. 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. 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.

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. In the final stretch of the game and 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 Chase 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. 

Benedictine currently sits with a 6-4 overall record and will face off with Lakeland on the road on Thursday before taking on the Vikings on Saturday. The Eagles are in the midst of a two-game losing streak, recently dropping two games in a weekend trip to Miami Shores, Fla to Saint Vincent and Widener. Benedictine is 2-1 on the road this season and has two wins in as many games over CCIW foes, defeating both Wheaton and North Central. The Eagles are led by Trevor Montiel's 16.4 points per game, one of two players averaging double figures.

Saturday will be the 10th all-time meeting between the two programs and the first since the 2002-03 season. Augustana has won seven times in the series, including a a 69-66 victory in its last encounter.

Start time is scheduled for 7 p.m.