January 24

Millikin University men’s basketball team’s bid to upset #1 Augustana College failed as Millikin lost 71-68 in Decatur, Illinois in the Griswold Center on January 24. Augustana lead the first half, but Millikin stayed close behind them with the Vikings leading the game 36-26 at halftime. The Big Blue continued to hang in the game in the second half. TJ Griffin’s layup brought Millikin within two with 65-63 and 1:47 left to play. Augustana’s Ben Ryan came back making it 67-63 Vikings. Nathan Biggs hit a layup with 55 seconds left to make the score 67-65.  Hunter Hill’s two free throws gave the Vikings a four point lead at 69-65 with 29 seconds to play. The Big Blue’s TJ Sims hit two free throws with 21 seconds making it 69-67. After an Augustana turnover, Nathan Biggs converted on one of two at the line to make the score 69-68.  Griffin Pils made two free throws with four seconds left to give Augustana a 71-68 advantage.  Big Blue had a shot to tie the game at the buzzer, but Jacob Kueker’s three point attempt bounced off the front rim, leaving the score at 71-68. Biggs gained 17 points and four rebounds. Griffin added 12 points to the score. Augustana shot 47 percent from field while Big Blue hit on 44 percent. Augustana rebounded 33-22. The Viking’s stats improve to 16-2, 6-1 while Millikin drops to 7-11, 2-5.

January 28

Millikin University men’s basketball team’s bid to upset #1 Augustana College failed as Millikin lost 71-68 in Decatur, Illinois in the Griswold Center on January 24. Augustana lead the first half, but Millikin stayed close behind them with the Vikings leading the game 36-26 at halftime. The Big Blue continued to hang in the game in the second half. TJ Griffin’s layup brought Millikin within two with 65-63 and 1:47 left to play. Augustana’s Ben Ryan came back making it 67-63 Vikings. Nathan Biggs hit a layup with 55 seconds left to make the score 67-65.  Hunter Hill’s two free throws gave the Vikings a four point lead at 69-65 with 29 seconds to play. The Big Blue’s TJ Sims hit two free throws with 21 seconds making it 69-67. After an Augustana turnover, Nathan Biggs converted on one of two at the line to make the score 69-68.  Griffin Pils made two free throws with four seconds left to give Augustana a 71-68 advantage.  Big Blue had a shot to tie the game at the buzzer, but Jacob Kueker’s three point attempt bounced off the front rim, leaving the score at 71-68. Biggs gained 17 points and four rebounds. Griffin added 12 points to the score. Augustana shot 47 percent from field while Big Blue hit on 44 percent. Augustana rebounded 33-22. The Viking’s stats improve to 16-2, 6-1 while Millikin drops to 7-11, 2-5.