MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – The Macalester College men's basketball team rallied late but was unable to complete the comeback attempt in an 88-82 loss at Augsburg University Saturday afternoon at Si Melby Hall. The MIAC defeat drops the Scots to 2-8 overall and 0-2 in conference play, while the Auggies improve to 3-4 on the season and 1-1 in the MIAC.

Early in the first half, held a 14-10 lead following a three-pointer by sophomore guard Kaden Holdbrook (Palo Alto, Calif./Henry M. Gunn). A 16-3 run by Augsburg over the next four minutes put the Auggies on top, 26-17 midway through the half. Holdbrook and junior forward Ryan Brush (Bellevue, Wash./Bellevue) drained threes to cut the deficit to 26-23, but Augsburg pushed the lead back up to nine, 34-25 with 4:17 on the clock. After a three-pointer and two free throws from Holdbrook brought the Scots to within four, the Auggies closed out the half with a 7-2 run to take a 41-32 advantage at the half. Augsburg shot 59.3 percent from the field in the first half, including 4-of-6 from three-point range, while Macalester shot 42.9 percent overall and made 5-of-16 from deep.

Trailing by 10 seven minutes into the second half, the Scots made a push with three-pointers by Brush and sophomore guard Kyle Jilla (Dallas, Texas/Plano West), and a basket from junior forward Noah Shannon (Northfield, Ill./New Trier) that made the score 59-55 with 11 minutes to play. But again the Auggies responded, outscoring Macalester 14-3 over the next three minutes to lead, 73-58. The Scots did not give up, as Brush hit back-to-back threes to ignite a 10-0 run and make it a five-point game, 73-68 with 5:35 remaining.

The scales tipped in favor of the hosts again, with Augsburg rebuilding its lead to 11, 85-74 with one minute left. After two free throws by first year guard JP Kerrigan (Atherton, Calif./Sacred Heart Prep) and a missed Auggie free throw, Shannon turned an offense board into a bucket and was fouled. The conventional three-point play made the score 85-79 with 40 seconds remaining. Again Augsburg missed a free throw, and junior guard Eric Wentz (Minot, N.D./Minot) was fouled while making a layup. Following Wentz's free throw that brought the Scots to within three, 85-82, Jilla stole the ball to give Macalester a chance to tie the game. A missed shot gave the ball back to Augsburg, which scored at the other end and held the Scots scoreless down the stretch to wrap up the win, 88-82.

Both teams made 17-of-34 (50.0 percent) from the floor in the second half, with the Auggies holding a 5-4 edge in threes made after halftime. Holdbrook registered 23 points, six rebounds, four assists and two blocks to lead Macalester. Shannon ended up with 19 points, seven boards and four assists, Brush finished with 17 points, and Wentz had 12 points, six boards and four assists. Andy Stafford led all players with 28 points for Augsburg.

Macalester hosts Carleton on Wednesday, Dec. 11 in the final game of 2024. The MIAC battle begins at 5:30 p.m. in the Leonard Center.