Fighting Bees Lose to
Augustana
11/30/05
Box Score
ROCK ISLAND, Ill. -- Players on both Augustana and St. Ambrose have had
this game circled on their calendars for months. Wednesday, it was finally
time to stop talking and start playing, as the two cross river rivals
renewed their historic rivalry. For the second consecutive season, it was
Augustana who came out on top, winning 69-56, in what was a sloppily
played game on both sides.
The lead went back-and-forth in the first half, with six ties and three
lead changes. Andrew Bryant had another great first half, with nine
points, eight rebounds and three blocks, but finished with just 14 points
and 13 boards. Rick Harrigan scored 12 points for Augustana in the first
period on five of eight shooting, helping the Vikings to a 27-24 lead at
halftime.
In the second half, SAU (4-4) was able to cut the Augustana (3-0) lead to
one point, on a three-pointer by Tyler Ryan with 15:35 remaining, but
that's as close as the Fighting Bees would get. Ante Juric tried to supply
a spark off the bench, scoring six consecutive points, but that only
delayed the outcome for a while. Augustana held SAU at bay the rest of the
game, leading by at least nine points during the final four minutes. The
Vikings shot 52% in the second half to SAU's 49%. One key to Augie's win
was that they got to the free throw line 32 times in the game, sinking 21,
while SAU only made 17 trips to the charity stripe, making nine.
Bryant was the only Fighting Bee in double figures. Aaron Strayhand scored
eight points, to go along with three rebounds. SAU had trouble controlling
the ball, especially in the second half, turning the ball over 20 times.
Augustana received a solid performance from Harrigan, who finished with a
game-high 24 points. J. Thornton-McAdams wasn't far behind, scoring 20 for
the Vikings on 7-of-12 shooting. Dain Swetalla chipped in with a
double-double of 13 points and eleven rebounds.
SAU will try to start their first winning streak of the season this
weekend, as they'll host the Pepsi Challenge at Lee Lohman Arena. They'll
do battle with Peru State Friday night at 7:30. Saturday, they'll take on
McKendree, who is ranked #14 in Division I. Saturday's game will begin at
approximately 4:00.
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