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Young Vikings hold on for opening victory
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AURORA — The Augustana College men's basketball team got just about everything it could have wanted in a season opener here Thursday night — including a harrowing 85-82 victory. The Vikings, playing six freshmen and four sophomores and without two of their tested veterans, watched a 21-point, second-half lead dwindle in the final 15 minutes. However, late free throws from sophomore Brandon Thompson and freshman Hunter Hill gave the visitors a three-point lead just before a desperation half-court shot banged off the rim after the buzzer. "Eight of our 11 guys played their first college varsity minutes, and we hung on for a great win," said Augie coach Grey Giovanine. "I couldn't be prouder or more pleased with the outcome in our opener." Making the victory even more improbable was that the Vikings were without two of their veteran front-liners. Senior George Dexter was out with a chronic back issue that flared up two days ago. Junior Kevin Schlitter has been hampered by a sprained ankle that occurred in last week's final scrimmage. In their place, freshmen Tayvian Johnson, Ben Ryan, Jake Gylten and Brandon Motzel got plenty of court time along with sophomore transfer Nic Hoepfner. Johnson and Hoepfner are former United Township standouts. Giovanine said that he was watching Thursday's junior varsity game closely to get an idea of who was playing well and might fill some varsity minutes. "These guys had never played a varsity game, and we're playing a team that's supposed to win their league; they are good," said Giovanine, who started Johnson (four points and five rebounds before fouling out) and Ryan (13 points in 22 minutes) and played Hill (five points) 11 minutes. There was reason to think that Augie could be good, too.Especially if grizzled sophomore point guard Dan Jurgutis can repeat the effort he had in the opener. Jurgutis popped for a team-high 29 points, dished out three assists and grabbed four rebounds in 31 minutes before fouling out. Also stepping up was senior front-liner Brandon Kunz, who finished 10 points and 14 rebounds. "Dan was unbelievable." said Giovanine. "He had 29 points and just carried us when we needed him. I hope he doesn't have to give us that much every night because I don't think he can. That's a 30-point performance on the road, against a team that could be in the NCAA Tournament." 
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Today is Sunday, May 19, the 139th day of 2013. There are 226 days left in the year.
1863 -- 150 years ago: The Rt. Rev. Harry I. Witherspoon, D.D. Bishop of Illinois, willpreach in Trinity (Episcopal) Church, in this city this evening.
1888 -- 125 years ago: At 1 o'clock yesterday afternoon the Mississippi River flooded itsbanks at Rock Island, destroying the warehouse of the Rock Island Lumber companyand damaging the Lumber Company and arsenal power plant. Total loss isestimated at $100.000.
1913 -- 100 years ago: Residents of South Rock Island township are circulating a petitionfavoring the annexation of that area to the city of Rock Island.
1938 -- 75 years ago: Mrs. Thomas Ackles, of Rock Island, has been elected president ofthe Playcrafters for the next season. She succeeds Warren Leonard.
1963 -- 50 years ago: Some 8,000 people filed through the gates of Rock Island Arsenal on Saturday to view a display of a part of the nation's armed strength. The occasion was theannual observance of Armed Forces Day.
1988 -- 25 years ago: Willis Kuschmann, of Moline, who already has won his laurels as oneof the most artistic men in the Quad-Cities area, has a new hobby. He is deeply involvedin miniature railroading. At the age of 88, when many other seniors are dozing in theirchairs or sitting before the television, Mr. Kuschmann is planning and working on hiscollection.
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