BLOOMINGTON, Ill. -- The Augustana Vikings men's basketball team will be back on the road on Saturday, January 27 to take on the first-place Illinois Wesleyan Titans.

Augustana currently sits at 6-13 overall and 3-7 in the CCIW, recently falling in a close battle with the Elmhurst Bluejays on Wednesday by a score of 73-69. After a back-and-forth start to the game, Elmhurst saw the first half's largest lead of seven before the Vikings charged back to claim their first advantage following a 9-1 run to make it 20-19. 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 Tyler 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, with Elmhurst snagging a rebound off a missed free-throw to help convert a three-point possession to seal the four-point victory.

The Titans enter Saturday's contest boasting a six-game winning streak and hold a 13-6 overall record and 9-1 mark in the CCIW. Illinois Wesleyan recently completed a come-from-behind victory over Wheaton on Wednesday to remain undefeated at home in conference play. After trailing at half, the Titans outscored the Thunder by 17 through the final 20 minutes and were led by four players with double figures in scoring. On the season, the group is led by Harrison Wilmsen's 12.5 points per outing, one of three players averaging double-digits. During the team's six-game winning streak, Illinois Wesleyan is averaging 76 points per contest while holding opponents to 65.

Augustana is 79-100 all-time against Illinois Wesleyan. The two teams met in Rock Island back on January 7, resulting in a 77-64 win for the Titans. Knuth led all scorers with 19 points for Augie.

Start time is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. from the Shirk Center.