The University of Minnesota Duluth men's basketball team was dealt its second loss in a row by Augustana University in 96-84 fashion inside the Elmen Center Saturday.

Leading the effort for the Bulldogs were both Kole Hanson and Caleb Siwek with over 20 points each. Hanson tallied his 28-point game of the season along with one steal and four assists. He shot 56.3% 99-16) from the field, 20% (1-5) beyond the arc, and 90% (9-10) from the free throw line. Siwek followed with 25 points while earning a steal, three rebounds, and hitting 50% (9-18) from the field and 62.5% (5-8) beyond the arc.

Entering the first half, the Vikings scored first with two three-pointers in the first two minutes. The Bulldogs responded with a 13-10 scoring run, which was led by Hanson's nine points. By the 10-minute mark, AU held a 24-18 lead over UMD until the Bulldogs climbed back in on a 16-7 scoring run in the next seven minutes by the efforts of Nick Katona (7), Siwek (3), Jackson Fowlkes (2), Mattie Thompson (2), and Hanson (2).

The Bulldogs held on to a 41-37 lead at halftime with Katona and Siwek scoring the final seven points before the break. The Vikings opened the second half on a 15-11 run to tie the game back up in the first eight minutes at 52-52, overpowering Siwek's nine-point effort. UMD held on to a narrow lead in the next four minutes as Hanson's 11 points and Noah Paulson's two looked to hold off AU.

The Vikings broke past the Bulldog defense on a 15-6 scoring run in under four minutes of game time for a 79-71 lead. With five minutes remaining, AU held off UMD on a 17-13 run to close out the game at 96-84.

The Bulldogs fell victim to the Vikings 70.37% (19-27) accuracy from the field and 70% (7-10) beyond the arc in the second half, while only hitting 43.75% (13-32) from the field and 41.67% (5-12) beyond the arc in return.

The Bulldogs continue competing on the road Friday against the University of Mary inside the McDowell Activity Center. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m.