NORTHFIELD, Minn. – Despite overcoming double-digit deficits in both halves, the Carleton College men’s basketball team dropped a competitive MIAC battle to Augsburg University 76-69 on Thursday night.
Playing a day later than initially scheduled due to dangerously cold temperatures felt throughout the Midwest, the Knights (6-14, 4-11 MIAC) battled back from a 13-point gap in the first half and another 14-point deficit in the second, but Augsburg (14-5, 10-4 MIAC) did just enough down the stretch to come away with the victory.
Carleton and Augsburg put up similar numbers in terms of field goals (41.4 percent and 45.5 percent, respectively), but the latter held a significant advantage from the free throw line. The visitors made 16-of-20 (80 percent) from the charity stripe, whereas the hosts put in just 10-of-18 (55.6 percent).
The Knights jumped out to a quick 10-5 lead, but Augsburg countered with a 22-5 run spanning nearly 10 minutes of game action. The visitors led by as much as 13 at 30-17 with 5:46 remaining in the half before Carleton found some quality offense late in the frame to trim the deficit to 32-26 heading into halftime.
A Carlston McKenzie (Fy./Brooklyn Park, Minn./Champlin Park) bucket on Carleton’s first possession of the second half got the Knights within four right off the bat. The Auggies responded by going on a 9-0 run to extend their lead to 41-28.
The deficit hovered around 10 points for a while, until Joe Thursby (Fy./Park Ridge, Ill./Northridge Prep) found his stroke for the Knights. The rookie converted on four 3-pointers in a 3:15 span to bring Carleton within six at 59-53 with 5:56 to play. Another make by McKenzie cut the gap to four points at the 5:25 mark.
Booker Coplin, the leading scorer in the conference at 25.7 points per game entering the contest, lit a spark for Augsburg with 3:29 left to play, as he grabbed a steal and earned an and-1 opportunity at the other end. The bucket and the foul gave the Auggies a 66-59 lead with just 3:29 remaining.
From there, Carleton only got within five points as the visitors took advantage of their free throw opportunities down the stretch and won by a 76-69 tally.
Matthew Stritzel (So./Chicago, Ill./Niles Notre Dame) spearheaded the Carleton attack with 17 points, seven assists, and six rebounds. McKenzie racked up 15 points and five boards in the effort.
Thursby finished with a career-best 12 points in the game, all coming from beyond the arc. Doing a little bit of everything, Quinn Johnson (Sr./Roseville, Minn.) totaled seven points, seven rebounds, and six assists.
Coplin led the way for Augsburg with game-highs of 23 points and eight boards. Henry Mulligan and Matt Carik each poured in 14 points, and Kevin McKiernan scored 13 points.
The Knights visit Gustavus Adolphus College on Saturday, Feb. 2 for a 3:00 p.m. contest. Links to live video and stats will be available on Knights Online.
