Free Throws Help Raise Vikings Over Eagles

The King's University Eagles men's basketball team faced off against the Augustana Vikings on Friday January 24 at 8pm at the King's University. 

The first quarter was hard fought by both teams. Each team led by as many as 5 points throughout the quarter with 4 lead changes total in the first 10 minutes. Starter Jonathan Barwegen was a force of the Eagles this quarter, getting inside forcing the vikings to take early fouls, resulting in Barwegen going 4/4 from the line. The Vikings otherwise played a great defensive quarter by forcing the Eagles to take tough shots from the outside. Eagles with ⅛ from deep in the first. 

The Vikings started the 2nd off with a 5 point lead. The Eagles played strong all quarter and cut into that lead to go into half only down 1. Half of the Eagles 17 2nd quarter points came off the bench via Ben Thess and Josh Povhe. Ball movement helped the Eagles as they generated twice as many assists in the quarter compared to the Vikings. The Vikings were led in the quarter by the play of forward Jack Smilski. BRuising in the paint, Jack finished the 1st half with 11 points and 9 rebounds. The Vikings also found a way to capitalize on defense by generating 4 steals that all ended in fast break points.

The 3rd quarter for the Vikings belonged to their starters as Jack Smilski, Jonathan Gomes and Tanton Mueller scored 5,6 and 7 points respectively. Jack Smilski continued to dominate on the glass as well as he picked up 4 more rebounds in the quarter. The Eagles saw Jagger Crossland control their side of the court. Putting up 6 pts 2 reb and 1 block inthe quarter, leading all Eagles in each category. The Eagles saw themselves turn the ball over less and force more turnovers out of the Vikings. But unfortunately the Eagles got themselves in foul trouble which allowed the Vikings to shoot twice as many free throws as them. 

The 4th quarter started with a 4 point lead in favour of the Vikings. The 4th was a more defensive quarter for both teams as the scoring took a step back for both teams. For the Vikings Jonathan Gomes did most of the scoring, tallying 6 points in the quarter to finish with a game high 26. While Jack Smilski continued his rebound dominance, gaining 5 more for his game high 18.  The game stayed close all the way to the end with the Eagles getting it within 3 with just under a minute to go. Gavin Ouellette and David Loki did most of the Eagles' scoring but it was Jagger Crossland who hit the big 3 late to keep the game close. 

Final Score Vikings 72 Eagles 67

Players of the Game

Eagles #0 Jagger Crossland

Vikings #15 Jack Smilski