Southern (5-2) was down 6-0 to start the game, but fought back and kept it close, eventually taking a short-lived lead at 28-26 with six minutes in the first half after a jumper from Vincent Ateba. The Lions led again at 40-39 after a three-point play from Tony Webb with two minutes left, but a layup from Augustana's (6-1) Elliot Thomas and a jumper from Corey McIntosh gave the Vikings a 43-40 lead at the half.

Augustana shot 56 percent from the field and 43 percent from long range in the half, led by 18 points on 8-16 shooting from McIntosh.

The Viking's lead was 51-50, but a three pointer from Skyler Bowlin with just under 15 minutes left, gave the Lions a two point advantage at 53-51. Southern took a seven point lead (60-53) at the ten minute mark after a free throw from Ateba, but two free throws from McIntosh gave the Vikings a one point lead (69-68) with four minutes to go.

A jumper from Verdouw made the Augustana lead 76-72. A layup from Ateba cut the deficit to two (74-76), while a Jordan Dalton free-throw extended it back to three for the Vikings.

That set up the final 27 seconds of the game for both teams. The Lions brought the ball down the court and Bowlin drained a three from the left wing to tie the game at 77. Augustana called a timeout and on the in bounds, David Foster was short on a three, but VerDouw grabbed the offensive board and put back the shot as time expired to give the Vikings a narrow escape and a 79-77 win.

Ateba led the Lions in scoring with 21 points on 9-10 shooting from the field and 3-5 from the free throw line. He had two steals and an assist. Webb scored 17, while both Matt Monroe and Bowlin added 11 points each. Bowlin had four assists and two steals. TJ Britton had a game-high eight rebounds.

McIntosh led all scorers with 33 points on 13-25 shooting. Verdouw had 14, while Foster scored 11.

The Lions shot 47 percent from the field and 80 percent from the free throw line. They forced 22 Viking turnovers and stole the ball 15 times, scoring 32 points off of turnovers.

The Lions will now prepare for Bacone College on Wednesday, December 5. Tip off is slated for 7 pm.