Northern State found itself staring at another big deficit on Saturday afternoon, but unlike Friday night, the Wolves were never able to get within striking distance.

Less than 24 hours after erasing a 19-point deficit only to lose in the closing seconds, the Wolves were unable to claw back from a 24-point first-half deficit in a 94-65 setback to Augustana in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference men’s basketball action at Wachs Arena.

“We got it to 11. There was a certain feel a little bit like (Friday) night, then they came and hit about three 3’s in transition in a row and that kind of slammed the door on us,” said Northern coach Saul Phillips. “That’s the problem with playing with a deficit like that, is it doesn’t take a huge knockout blow to get you. You’re teetering on that edge anyway.”

Augustana coach Tom Billeter watched how Friday’s game unfolded when the Wolves nearly defeated Wayne State. When he watched his team’s advantage slip to 61-50 with 12:23 remaining, he knew the game was far from over.

“When they cut it to 11, and of course we watched the game (Friday) night, I’m sitting here going here we go,” Billeter said. “I just told our guys stay aggressive, do not play to lose this thing.”

The Vikings responded in a big way, quickly restoring a 21-point cushion and were in control the rest of the way for a rare road victory at Wachs Arena.

“We haven’t won here in a long time and our guys know that,” Billeter said. “Credit Saul and his staff and teams, they’ve been so good.”

Augie set the tone from the opening tip, establishing a double-digit lead in the first five minutes of the game. The lead continued to grow as the Wolves managed to score just seven points in the first 10 minutes of the half.

“I think as a team as a whole, they kind of dictated the pace, they dictated the game,” said Northern forward Jacksen Moni. “They really got into us right away and really made the game physical. We didn’t know how to respond right away.”

Billeter said the Vikings faced a major challenge in trying to contain Northern’s multiple-threat offense.

“When you have (Augustin) Reede, who you’ve got to really guard or he’s going to get you, (Josh) Dilling is a really good player, strong player, and then Moni is as good as there is at our level in the country,” Billeter said. “That’s a three-headed monster, man.”

The Wolves started to gain some traction in the second half as Moni spearheaded a charge that eventually closed the gap, but the Vikings responded to quickly regain the momentum.

“We did guard well, but when they would hit, we would respond,” Billeter said. “They got it to 11 and we responded. They never got it under 10. I think that’s that magic number.”

Facing such a large deficit meant that there was little, if any, margin for error for the Wolves as they attempted their second major comeback in as many games.

“It’s tough to be down that big and try to come back,” Moni said. “You basically have to do everything perfect to come back and we didn’t play our best basketball at all this weekend, and we can always improve on that.”

Isaac Fink led Augie with 22 points, while Jaden Graves added 18.

Moni topped Northern with 20 points, and Dilling contributed 18.

The Wolves, 6-10 overall and 4-6 in the NSIC, host Concordia-St. Paul on Friday and Minnesota Duluth on Saturday at Wachs Arena.

To see a complete box score from Saturday’s game, click on the following link:

https://nsuwolves.com/sports/mens-basketball/stats/2023-24/augustana-university/boxscore/13319