In 1963, the Bears hosted the Vikings in 1963 in the first round of the NCAA regional. Washington University won that game, 71-66 to advance to the second round of the NCAA Great Lakes Regional.
The programs would then wait 43 years to meet again. Despite the short history, this is a rivalry that has an age-old feel.
Here is a quick look at every game in the Augustana – Washington University series:
1962-1963: Washington University defeats Augustana, 71-66
The first-ever meeting between Washington University and Augustana occurred in 1963 when the Bears hosted the Vikings in the first-round of the NCAA regional. Sandy Pomerantz led all scorers with 27 points, shooting 11-15 from the floor and 5-5 from the free-throw line.
The Bears fought off a late Viking rally thanks to clutch free-throw shooting. The Bears went 17-23 from the line, including a 4-6 and 7-8 performance by Ed Dancy and Joe Patterson.
2006-2007: Augustana defeats Washington University, 75-73
The No. 24 ranked Vikings overcame a 6-point half-time deficit to get the win in Rock Island. Aaron Thompson tied the game with 38 seconds left. Then Drew Wessels stole the ball on a Washington University inbound play and was fouled. Wessels shot two free-throws to give Augustana a 75-73 lead. In the final play of the game, Tyler Nading drove the lane but his lay-up rolled off the rim.
2007-2008: Augustana defeats Washington University, 66-60
The No 5. Vikings defeated the No. 1 Bears for the second-straight year. This game was played in Grant Gymnasium as part of the Webster Classic. Troy Ruths scored with 40 seconds left to bring the Bears within two points, but the Vikings closed out the game at the line. Nading finished with a double-double including 20 points and 12 rebounds. Thompson added 17 points and 3 rebounds.
2007-2008: Washington University defeats Augustana, 70-67 OT
The teams met again in 2007-2008; this time in the second round of the NCAA tournament. The Bears got the win in OT to advance to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament.
The Bears held a 4-point lead at the half and possessed a single-digit lead for most of the second half. The Vikings knocked down two free-throws with 0:01 left to force overtime. In the extra period, the Vikings used two free-throws to take a one-point lead. Cameron Smith drained a three-pointer with 1:00 left. Danny O’Boyle added a free-throw to bring the lead to 3 and the Bears held on for the win.
The three-point margin of victory of ended up being the smallest win for the Bears in the tournament, though Buena Vista also forced an overtime before eventually falling, 85-77. In his column, Tom Johnston, Augustana beat writer, suggested that this game deserved to be played in Salem as part of the Final Four.
2008-2009: Washington University defeats Augustana, 87-82
In one of the most highly anticipated match-ups of the non-conference season, the No. 1 ranked Bears defeated the No. 2 ranked Vikings in Rock Island in front of a crowd of 2,200. Thompson led all scorers with 26 points. Zach Kelly finished with 18 points and 10 rebounds for the double-double.
2009-2010: Washington University defeats Augustana, 71-53
The No. 1 ranked Bears easily defeated the Vikings in St. Louis. Aaron Thompson led the way, finishing with 26 points on 9-10 shooting (4-4 three-point shooting).
2010-2011: Augustana defeats Washington University, 78-55
The 24th ranked Vikings defeated the No. 20 ranked Washington University. The Bears were young and generally inexperienced, returning only one starter from a team that graduated 5 seniors from 2009-2010.
2011-2012: Washington University defeats Augustana, 71-68
The Bears defeated the No. 1 ranked Vikings in the championship game of the 28th annual Lopata Classic. Dylan Richter scored 27 points in what was one of the greatest individual performances in the Lopata Classic.
2015-2016: Augustana defeats Washington University, 70-67
The No. 1 ranked Vikings defeated the No. 20 ranked Bears in St. Louis after a four-year break in the series. The Bears raced out to a 59-51 lead after trailing by 10 at the half. The Bears trailed by 2 points with one minute left, before the Vikings closed out the game.
The Bears had hoped to play Augustana in the second round of the NCAA tournament the season prior, but DePauw played spoiler, defeating the Bears, 83-73 in the Field House.
2016-2017: Washington University defeats Augustana, 68-61
The No. 20 ranked Bears raced out to an 11-0 lead and held off a late rally to defeat the No. 18 ranked Vikings in Rock Island.
2017-2018: Augustana defeats Washington University, 72-57
The No. 10 ranked Bears shot 55% from the line in the 72-57 loss to the No. 3 ranked Vikings in St. Louis. Andrew Sanders finished with 21 points.
2018-2019: Augustana defeats Washington University, 78-55
The No. 3 ranked Viking defeated the Bears in Rock Island; the 400th Augustana win for Coach Giovanine.
2019-2020: Washington University defeats Augustana, 73-70
The No. 15 ranked Bears edged the No. 17 ranked Vikings in a game that featured an unfortunate technical for Augustana on a kicked ball after the whistle. The Vikings missed a game-tying three-pointer at the buzzer. Jack Nolan scored a career-high 28 points. Jonathan Arenas recorded a career-high 8 rebounds.