Zimmer: Northern State win over Augustana rekindles Division II rivalry enjoyable – Sioux Falls Live

SIOUX FALLS — Northern State and Augustana used to supply a number of the greatest Division II basketball video games you’d discover anyplace within the United States.

The Vikings grew to become a nationwide energy below Tom Billeter within the late 2000s, culminating in a nationwide championship in 2016, whereas the Wolves have been the delight of Aberdeen going again to their NAIA days and carrying over into the Don Meyer and Paul Sather eras. They, too, performed for a Division II nationwide championship, ending as runners-up in 2018.

When the groups performed in Sioux Falls you needed to present up an hour early should you did not wish to park a mile away from the Elmen Center. When they performed in Aberdeen, raucous crowds of over 4,000 would present up and switch the Barnett Center right into a big-time faculty basketball ambiance, mercilessly taunting opposing gamers like Cody Schilling, the previous Vikings star who’s now their head coach.

Times have modified. Neither the Wolves or Vikings are nationwide contenders. The crowds aren’t what they was. A modest 1,293 followers had been readily available Saturday.

But as soon as the ball tipped, the in-state rivals staged the type of recreation that rekindled reminiscences of the previous, and may hopefully be a glimpse of the near-future.

Northern State raced out to an enormous early lead and held on late for a 91-88 win, surviving solely when a pair of game-tying 3-point makes an attempt by the Vikings within the closing seconds had been no good.

The Wolves made a whopping 13 first-half 3-pointers and led by as a lot as 23 factors, just for the Vikings to regularly chip away and stage a number of rallies to repeatedly lower the NSU deficit each time they stretched it.

The Wolves appeared to have reasserted management after they used a 7-0 spurt to push the lead again to 9 with six minutes to go, however Augie had it down to 2 with 65 seconds to go after a turnaround jumper by Brady Helgren. The Wolves saved hitting free throws to push the lead again to 4, however lastly missed one with 11 seconds to go, giving the Vikings their shot to tie, however two within the closing seconds had been each properly quick.

“That was a high-level basketball game,” stated Wolves coach Matt Wilber, an Augustana alumnus making his return to the gymnasium the place he was a beloved southpaw 3-point shooter. “The way we came out and played offense right away — that’s as good as we can play. You’re just not going to play better offense and make more shots than that. And as it turned out we needed every one of ’em, which I thought we might.”

James Glenn had 24 factors to guide the Wolves (6-10, 6-4), hitting six of his workforce’s 17 3-pointers. Marshawn Smith had 17 factors and 9 rebounds, hitting 5 3s, whereas Tobi Obiora had 15 factors and Simon Akena 14.

The Wolves took 25 of their 35 first-half discipline targets from behind the arc. Wilber stated that wasn’t essentially the plan, however after they began as sizzling as they did he certain did not wish to discourage them.

The Vikings (8-7, 6-4) weren’t unhealthy, essentially, however Schilling thought they had been too gradual closing on shooters and that they missed the spark of injured ahead Caden Hinker.

Tameron Ferguson had 24 factors, eight rebounds and 7 assists, whereas Helgren had 22 factors and 9 boards, Sam Rensch 18 factors and Tanner Te Slaa 12 factors.

“I think we came out a little stagnant and slow,” Schilling stated. “(Northern) made some tough shots. I mean, they made 13 in the first half and I though there were at least three of ’em where we had a hand in there and they still made it. I was proud of our effort to get back in into the game, and we got a great look there at the end, but the problem is we have to be ready to play at home, and those first ten minutes, that’s where the game was lost tonight.”

The Vikings had been in first place at 6-2 earlier than dropping a pair this weekend. 0-2 homestands are by no means good, and Schilling appeared to take the weekend onerous. But the Vikings are clearly a superb workforce, one which’s even higher when Hinker is wholesome. And for Schilling, a hyperlink to the Vikings’ glory days, and Wilber, who performed within the North Central Conference towards now-Division I groups like SDSU, USD, NDSU, UND and Omaha, there’s hope that if these two groups proceed their upward trajectory, this rivalry can ascend again to the place it is onerous to discover a seat for many who attend.

“You always knew when you played Northern it would be a great crowd and that’s what today’s was,” Schilling stated. With the Vikings anticipated to finish upgrades to the Elmen Center by subsequent yr that can make for a considerably extra fan-friendly ambiance, Schilling expects these crowds to be greater once more sooner or later.

As for Wilber, who’s taking on a workforce that gained simply two video games final yr, he is additionally hopeful this rivalry blossoms once more.

“I’ve been in this building a lot since my playing days but never in a competitive setting like that, and it was loud in there,” Wilber stated. “I mean, in the North Central, when you’re playing South Dakota State, USD, North Dakota State — those were big games and the Elmen was always packed. It felt kind of like that tonight. We brought a good crowd, and you could feel Augie’s fans, too. So it was fun to be back in this gym. This is a game both teams want to win and I hope they’re always as fun as this one was.”

Matt Zimmer is a Sioux Falls native and longtime sports activities author. He graduated from Washington High School the place he performed soccer, legion baseball and developed his lifelong love of the Minnesota Twins and Vikings. After graduating from St. Cloud State University, he returned to Sioux Falls, and started a protracted profession in beginner baseball and sports activities reporting. Email Matt at mzimmer@siouxfallslive.com.