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Mankato, Minn. ---  The Augustana Vikings used a 46-point second half to turn a 35-24 deficit into a 70-64 victory Friday night over Minnesota State in front of a season-high 2,114 fans in the Taylor Center on the campus of Minnesota State.

“I thought we competed about as hard as we have all year,” said head coach Matt Margenthaler.  “We let things get away from us to start the second half and Augustana did a nice job capitalizing on that.”

The Mavericks never trailed in the first half, opening a lead as large as 16 with 2:32 remaining after senior guard #Stephen Kirschbaum# hit a jumper.  Freshman post Zach Romashko led all players in scoring in the first half as he poured in 13 on 5-of-6 shooting from the floor. 

Minnesota State shot 52 percent in the opening 20 minutes, limiting the Vikings to just 35.5 percent.

Augustana used a 13-3 run to open the second half taking the lead at 38-37 with 14:28 remaining.  The Mavericks kept the game within striking distance, eventually retaking the lead at 54-52 with 4:16 remaining when Kirschbaum drilled a three-pointer. 

The Vikings responded with a 10-0 run to reclaim the lead and never looked back.  Minnesota State did cut the deficit to four twice in the final minute but it was too little too late.

Romashko led all Mavericks in scoring with 21 points while Kirschbaum - who played in his 100th game as a Maverick - added 16 and sophomore guard Jimmy Whitehead had 11.  Sophomore forward #Connor O’Brien# finished with nine points, seven rebounds and four blocks.

The Mavericks finished the night shooting 44.4 percent from the floor and both teams gathered 36 rebounds.

The Mavericks (7-13, 6-10 NSIC) return to action tomorrow evening as they entertain Wayne State.  Tip-off is set for 6 p.m.