ROCK ISLAND -- The Augustana Vikings men's basketball dropped a close battle to the visiting Elmhurst Bluejays on Wednesday, falling at home by a score of 73-69.

The Bluejays grabbed the first three points of the contest and held a lead for a majority of the opening half, growing a cushion to as many as seven with a score of 18-11 around the 11-minute mark. Augie fought back, using a 9-1 run to claim its first lead of the game at 20-19. From there, the two teams continued to trade baskets before Elmhurst charged back out in front at 37-32 with less than two minutes to go. The Vikings secured the final five points of the half, seeing a three-pointer from Tyler Knuth prior to a pair of made free throws by Evan Ambrose just seconds before the halftime break. The two teams entered the locker room deadlocked at 37, with the Vikings shooting an even 50 percent through 20 minutes of play. Four different Augie players had at least six points in the first, led by Knuth with eight.

Chase Larsen broke the even score with a layup to kick off the second half and begin another trading of baskets between the two teams. Just passing the halfway point, the Vikings grabbed their largest advantage of the contest as a three from Nicolas Giliberto and a mid-range jumper from Dani Romero pushed the margin out to nine points at 54-45. The Bluejays responded and inched back into the game, eventually reclaiming a lead of their own with four minutes showing on the clock. Augie moved back out in front for the next two-plus minutes of action, but a three-pointer from the visitors ended the Vikings' momentum to bring the score to 65-64. Augie never saw a lead the rest of the way, but got within one thanks to a three from Anthony Cooper with just 11 seconds remaining. Elmhurst snagged a rebound off a missed free-throw and converted a three-point possession with three makes from the line to seal the four-point victory.

Augustana out-shot Elmhurst in the contest, hitting 28 attempts on 44 percent shooting, but the Bluejays finished plus-16 from the free throw line. The Vikings were led in scoring by Ambrose with 16 points, while Cooper, Larsen, and Knuth all had double figures with 10. Mike Hamilton also added eight rebounds and three assists. 

With the loss, Augie drops to 6-13 on the season and 3-7 in the CCIW. The team will be back in action on Saturday when they visit first-place Illinois Wesleyan.