You reached this page through the archive. Click here to return to the archive.

Note: This article is over a year old and information contained in it may no longer be accurate. Please use the contact information in the lower-left corner to verify any information in this article.

Men's basketball wins at the buzzer over Augsburg

Ryan Koehler
January 12, 2004

The Oles broke a four game losing streak with a win over Augsburg College on Saturday, January 10th. The score was tied at 51 at the end of regulation, before Matt Schlenker (Sr., Rochester, Minn.) hit the game winning shot at the buzzer, to defeat Augsburg 58-56 in overtime.

In the first half, the Oles played well, shooting 52% from the floor while holding the Augies to only 32%, but nine turnovers by St. Olaf kept the game close. The Oles closed out the half with a 10-3 run and held a one point lead, 31-30, at halftime.

In the second half both teams stepped up the defensive intensity, and neither team shot well. St. Olaf had many chances to put the game away at the free throw line, but were unable to convert, while Augsburg shot 90% from the charity stripe. As the second half came to a close, the score was tied at 51. The Oles took a shot as time ran expired, and it barely rimmed out.

Overtime was very exciting, with both teams changing baskets, but as the clock ran under one minute, the Oles clung to a three point lead. With 0:14 left, the Augies hit a three pointer, to tie the game at 56. When the Oles in-bounded the ball, it appeared that no one was going to get a shot off, but as the clock approached zero, Schlenker banked in a ten-foot shot to win the game.

Leading scorers for the Oles were Erik Sviggum (Jr. Kenyon, Minn.) with 13 points and Matt Schlenker who had 11 points and five assists. Dane Huber (So. Northfield, Minn.) was tough on the inside grabbing 15 rebounds and scoring nine points.

The next game for the Oles is Wednesday, January 14th when they travel to Macalester for a 7:30 pm. The win brings the Oles to 2-5 in the MIAC and 5-7 overall.

Contact Le Ann Finger at 507-786-3834 or finger@stolaf.edu.