The Millikin men's basketball team lost a home CCIW battle to Augustana College 63-54 on Jan. 23 in the Griswold Center in Decatur, Ill.

          The game was a physical defensive battle with both teams extending maximum effort on both ends of the floor.  The Vikings lead the entire first half going in at halftime up 28-24.  The largest Augustana lead in the first half was seven points.  Millikin battled back early in the second half grabbing the lead at 33-32 with 16:30 left in the game.  Millikin would go up by three points before the Vikings pulled back ahead and closed the game out in the final minutes.

          Augustana shot 42 percent from the field while Millikin shot 36.5 percent.  The Vikings out rebounded Millikin 41-30, which was a major factor in the Augustana win.

          Millikin's top scorer was TJ Griffin with 15 points and four steals.  Deavis Johnson had 13 points and five rebounds.  Elijah Kinmon had a team high seven rebounds and four blocks.

          Augustana's top scorer and rebounder was Ben Ryan with 16 points and 11 rebounds.

          Augustana improves to 14-4, 4-3 while the Big Blue fall to 7-11, 3-4.

          Millikin will travel to Carthage College in Kenosha, Wis. on Jan. 6 for a 7 p.m. tipoff.