LISLE, Ill. -- The Augustana Vikings men's basketball team erased a first-half deficit of as many as 15 to come back and defeat the Benedictine Eagles by a score of 78-70 on Saturday.

After trading baskets for the first six minutes of action, the Eagles used a 14-0 run over the course of the next three minutes to turn a 12-11 lead into 26-11. A three-pointer by Matt Hawkins stopped the momentum before another made three from Chase Larsen moments later moved the differential back under 10. Despite the Eagles reaching another lead of 10 later on, the Vikings continued to chip away and withstand hot shooting from the home team, eventually pulling even at 36 points apiece. A three and last second bucket by the Eagles put them up 41-38 at the halftime break. Benedictine boasted a 54 percent shooting effort from the field and knocked down seven threes at a 47 percent clip. Augie finished the first half at just 33 percent from the floor.

In the second, the home team struck first with a basket, but the Vikings countered with the game's next 12 points, seven of which came from Evan Ambrose during that span. Augie remained out in front and saw its lead grow to double figures at 59-48 with 11 minutes to go. From there, the Eagles got within six and held Augustana without points for nearly five minutes. Colton Gillingham ended the cold spell with consecutive made shots to move the advantage back out to 10 and the team's lead never dipped below six the rest of the way. The Vikings made their last eight free throw attempts down the stretch to stay out in front and cancel out four made shots by the Eagles in the final minute. 

Four Augustana players scored in double figures in the win, with Ambrose leading the way with 23 points and a team-high seven boards. Larsen followed with 15 points, while Tyler Knuth added 12 and Hawkins contributed 10. Augie held Benedictine to just 37 percent shooting in the second half and 20 percent from deep.

With the win, the Vikings improve to 7-3 on the season. The team returns home for matchup with Bethel on December 28.