By Kristian Evans, Sports Editor

Entering the game after their first loss of the season, the Augsburg men’s basketball team looked to bounce back with a non-conference matchup against Loras College. In what proved to be a thrilling game for the crowd at Si Melby Hall, the Auggies clawed back from being down 16 points to win a 79-78 thriller and improve to 6-1 on the year.

Collin Olmscheid and Harry Sonie led the way in scoring for the Auggies with 17 points each. Sophomore guard Booker Coplin also chipped in 14 to go along with two steals and two assists. Coplin also made a clutch three pointer to push the Auggies out in front before Sonie would ice the game with a pair of clutch free throws that gave Augsburg the edge.

Down by 12 at halftime, the Auggies managed to get the edge 49-36 in the second half of the game and hold Loras off with a stronger defensive effort and a better rebounding effort that made the difference down the stretch.

The Auggies faced Carleton on Wed. after this issue went to print, and they will travel to Las Vegas for a pair of games over winter break before returning for a home game against Hamline to begin the new year.

This article first appeared in the Friday, December 15, 2017, Edition of The Echo.