Rock Island, Ill. -- The first game of 2024 and a resumption of conference play arrived on Wednesday night, as the Thunder men's basketball team headed west to take on the Augustana Vikings. Wheaton was unable to snap its four-game skid heading into this evening's contest, as the hosts held on for a narrow 67-64 victory. But the Thunder did not make things easy for Augie and were led by an inspired Nate Sock, who scored a game-best 26 points to earn a new career-high total five days after setting his previous mark against John Carroll.

Augustana posted a slightly better field goal percentage than their visitors this evening, but Wheaton had a more successful night behind the three-point line, earning a solid 36% figure and holding the home side to a 3-11 mark from range and no threes after halftime. Augie's free-throw shooting played a large part in determining the final result, however, as the Vikings shot an impressive 18-19 from the stripe and collected eight more points from the line than Wheaton. The Thunder committed fewer turnovers and earned five more points off of their takeaways than Augustana did, but the hosts held advantages in the other major statistical categories tonight. 

Sock accumulated a game-high two blocked shots, a pair of assists, and four rebounds to go along with his scoring output. The senior shot 62% from the floor and made nine of his ten free throw attempts on Wednesday. Kyle Neibch contributed 12 points off of a contest-best four three-pointers and joined Sock on four boards and two dimes. Soren Richardson registered 11 points and a game-leading three steals while earning four assists and the same number of rebounds. Nick Schiavello led the Thunder in rebounding with six boards and tallied a game-high five assists to go with his seven points and pair of steals. Daniel Garza scored seven points in 13 minutes of action this evening.

Augustana jumped out to an early 11-3 tilt, but baskets by Neibch and Sock brought Wheaton back in the game at 17-13 halfway through the first frame. The hosts stretched their lead to as much as 14 points over the next few minutes, but the Thunder mounted a 10-0 run capped by a Sock dunk to make it 29-25 in Augie's favor with two minutes left. After exchanging free throws with the Vikings, Wheaton got the last laugh of the half courtesy of a three-ball by Richardson on the final possession. Augustana took a narrow 33-30 lead into the locker room. 

This margin would remain intact as the final horn sounded with both teams scoring 34 points in the second half. Wheaton completed its turnaround at the 15:17 mark of the second period and earned its first lead since the opening minute when Richardson bagged another three to push the team ahead at 39-37. The Thunder looked to be on their way to victory at the halfway point of the second half when another triple from the freshman expanded Wheaton's lead to 51-43. But the visitors promptly went cold from the field and failed to score on their next ten trips down the floor, allowing Augustana to build a 14-point surge to flip the scoreline around. Garza finally ended the Thunder drought with a layup in the lane to bring Wheaton back within four at the 2:30 mark. Sock then accounted for Wheaton's next nine points and managed to drag the guests back to a 64-62 deficit with 15 seconds left. But the Vikings connected on three of their following four foul shots and forced a pair of missed shots on the other end to hold on for a late win on their home floor.

Wheaton will try to end its extended road trip on a high note when it heads into the Windy City to face the reigning CCIW Tournament champions, North Park, on Saturday afternoon. The Thunder will finally return to King Arena a week from tonight to host the Carthage Firebirds.