ROCK ISLAND -- The Augustana Vikings men's basketball team was defeated at home on Sunday, falling to the Carroll Pioneers by a score of 74-70.

It was all Augustana in the opening frame, scoring the game's first 10 points before extending its lead out to 11 at 18-7 around the halfway point. The Vikings continued to shoot efficiently throughout the remainder of the half, hitting 46 percent of their looks and 4-9 from three-point range. The defense was also on display, holding the Pioneers to just 32 percent from the field and a 3-11 effort from deep. Augie scored the final five points of the first, including a made three from Tyler Knuth, to take a 37-24 cushion into the break.

A pair of free throws from Knuth pushed the Vikings' margin to the largest of the game at 15 to begin the half, but the Pioneers inched back into it and eventually evened the score at 45 with 13 minutes to go. The two teams continued to trade baskets, seeing two ties over the next six minutes before Carroll grabbed its first lead of the contest at 53-52. The Pioneers remained out in front, growing their advantage to as many as 10 with 2:39 showing on the clock. Augie charged back, cutting the deficit to just one with 36 left, but three made free throws down the stretch and a pair of defensive stops helped the visitors squeak out the win.

Knuth led all scorers in the game with 26 points, while Chase Larsen also added 12 points and eight rebounds. The Vikings forced 21 turnovers in the game, fueled by three players with three steals in Knuth, Dani Romero, and Evan Ambrose. Both teams hovered around the 40 percent mark for the game, but the Pioneers boasted a plus-nine advantage in made free throws.

With the loss, Augie drops to 5-11 on the season and 2-5 in the CCIW. The team will be back in action on Wednesday when they travel to take on the No. 15 ranked Elmhurst Bluejays.