By: Dr. David Tack, Head Writer/Collin Boyles, Sports Information Coordinator
MOORHEAD, Minn. - Charlie Chapman and DJ Hamilton combined for 40 points as the No. 4 Dragons handed the No. 5 Augustana College Vikings a 91-83 loss tonight in Alex Nemzek Fieldhouse.
Coach Chad Walthall started four guards, and the up-tempo, transition game plan was evident from the tip off as D. J. Hamilton penetrated the lane and kicked the ball out to a wide open Charlie Chapman for three. Chapman would finish the game with 20 points on 8-for-16 shooing from the field, and 3-for-8 from three.
A few minutes later, Alex Novak adjusted his shot in the air to sink the left-handed layup and draw the foul. He would complete the three-point play, giving the Dragons a 6-0 lead.
Hamilton would move from his usual starting spot at point guard over to shooting guard, and he capitalized on his opportunities. MSUM showed their precision passing as Chapman found Driscoll down low, who kicked it back out to Hamilton for the open three and a 15-9 lead. Hamilton was a perfect 5-for-5 from three, and 6-for-10 from the field, finishing the game with 20 points.
The Dragons responded to Coach Walthall’s demands to play "solid" on defense, as it took almost six minutes for the Vikings to score their first points.
Even with the strong defensive effort, the Vikings were able to have three players score in double figures, with Cody Schilling leading all scorers with 28, followed by Drae Murray’s 21, and Cameron McCaffrey’s 15.
Although starting small, they only allowed Augustana three offensive rebounds in the first half, and ten for the game; however, the Vikings would outrebound the Dragons 30-25.
Hamilton and Chapman would hit back-to-back threes with just over one minute to play in the first half, giving the Dragons a 39-31 lead going into halftime. MSUM were able to open up a thirteen-point lead, started by a Novak drop-step dunk for the first points of the half. Hamilton would follow, dribbling between his legs for a pull-up three pointer, followed by Van Havermaet finding himself open for one of his three three-pointers on the night.
The Vikings would bring the score within three points on two separate occasions, both times off strong offensive play by Viking guard Murray; however, the Dragons would go on a 17-8 run, capped off by Jake Driscoll hitting a spot-up three and drawing the foul. He would sink the free throw for the four point play, extending the Dragon lead back to twelve at 79-67. The Vikings attempted to fight back by setting a full-court trap defense and strategically fouling during MSUM’s offensive possessions, yet the Dragons held off to secure a spot in the NSIC Final Four tournament this upcoming weekend.
MSUM finished the game 27-for-55, 49.1%, from the field, 9-for-21, 42.9%, from three, and 20-for-22, 90.9%, from the free throw line. The Dragons were led in scoring by Hamilton (20), Chapman (20), Novak (15), Driscoll (15), and Van Havermaet (13).
Augustana shot 28-for-51, 54.9%, from the field, 13-for-23, 56.5%, from three, and 22-for-28, 78.6%, from the free throw line.
The Dragons will play in the NSIC Final Four this Saturday, March 3, at approximately 2:30 against the No. 1 Bemidji State Beavers at the Taylor Arena in Rochester, Minnesota.
Steve d'Eustachio’s Stat of the Game: Tonight was the Dragons’ first playoff win since they beat Bemidji State 79-78 in overtime on March 8, 2003.
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