No. 2 Augustana University scored 57 points in the second half and erased a 10-point deficit to advance to the NCAA Division II Final Four with an 86-79 win over Tarleton State University (24-9) on Wednesday night.
With the win, Augustana improves to 32-2 on the season, setting a new single season record for wins.
Senior forward Alex Richter led the Vikings with a career-high 32 points on the night, picking up 20 in the second half alone. Richter was 8 of 14 from the field, including 5 of 6 from 3-point range. He also hit a career-high 11 free throws on the night.
Casey Schilling registered his 13th double-double of the season (33rd career) finishing with 17 points and 10 rebounds to go along with four assists, one block and one steal. With senior forward Daniel Jansen missing the first game of his entire career due to injury, Zach Huisken made his first start of the season and added 13 points and eight rebounds for the Vikings. Adam Beyer added 12 points and seven rebounds while Jordan Spencer pitched in with 10 points, three rebounds and three assists.
Augustana out-rebounded the Texans 40-36, despite giving up 18 offensive rebounds in the game. The 57 second-half points scored by the Vikings was just nine shy of Tarleton State’s season average for points allowed.
Augustana will play in the Final Four Thursday night, taking on Western Oregon at 8:30 p.m. (CT) in Frisco, Texas.
