Box Score ELMHURST, Ill. -- The Augustana Vikings men's basketball team fell to the Elmhurst Bluejays on Saturday by a score of

In the opening half, the Bluejays took the early lead after three straight three-pointers in the first two minutes of play. A layup by Cam Atkinsion put Augie on the board, and Eli Alanda and Jake Willems followed with three-pointers of their own to make a 12-8 game. Aldana knocked down another three-point shot to get within one point at 12-11. A jump shot by Ethan Andre moved the difference to one once again, but Elmhurst followed with six points. Four straight points by the Vikings moved the difference back to one after a layup by Marieon Anderson. The Bluejays followed with 11 points, giving them a 28-18 lead with 6:52 remaining on the clock. The teams traded shots with three free throws by the home team moving the difference to double-digits at 34-25. The Vikings closed the period with six points, with Dom Rhoden closing the first 20 minutes of play with a free throw to make a 35-31 score entering the halftime break. 

Returning to the court, Anderson made a layup to earn the first points of the period with a 35-33 score. The teams traded points before eight consecutive points put up by the Bluejays, once again at 46-35. The Vikings found five shots at the free throw line to get within six at 46-40. The teams rallied points once again, with Elmhurst reaching double-digits with 5:04 on the clock. Both teams saw many shots from the free throw line until Aldana made a fast break layup on a defensive rebound by Willems. With 54.6 on the clock, Atkinson knocked down a three-point shot off a pass by Aldana before Aldana found himself at the free-throw line, where he grabbed two points. The Bluejays found six more points for the charity to win 77-64.

With the loss, Augie moves to 7-7 on the season and 2-3 in conference play. The Vikings will be back in action on Jan. 14 to host North Central.