ROCK ISLAND -- The Augustana Vikings men's basketball team will be back in action on Saturday, December 28 when they host the Bethel Royals for a non-conference clash.

Winners of two straight, Augie enters with a 7-3 record, recently erasing a double-digit deficit against Benedictine to win by a score of 78-70 last Saturday. a 14-0 run in the first half for the Eagles gave them a 26-11 advantage before a three-pointer by Matt Hawkins stopped the momentum. 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.

Bethel currently sits at 8-2 on the season and has won its five straight games, three of which have come by four points or less. The Royals enjoyed a blowout victory last time out, defeating Martin Luther by a score of 108-75. Bethel jumped out to a 50-36 lead at half, fueled by a 59 percent shooting effort from the floor. An even better offensive half followed with 58 points as the team was led by four players in double figures and two with 21. The Royals boast three players on the season averaging 15 or more points, including leading scorer Payton Thomsen at just over 21 per game. The Vikings and Royals have one common opponent this season, each defeating Hamline in close battles. Bethel knocked off the Pipers on the road by a score of 84-80 back on December 7. The Royals are 4-1 on the road this season, with the lone loss coming at UW-Eau Claire in late November. 

Saturday will serve as the first-ever meeting between the two programs. Start time is scheduled for 3 p.m.