Vikings fall just short of title

The Augustana Vikings just missed their first national men's basketball championship Saturday, losing to Babson 79-78 in the NCAA DIII final game.

"It's hard right now, but I'm absolutely thrilled with what transpired over the past month," coach Grey Giovanine said after the game.

The Augustana Vikings defeated Williams 90-79 Friday night to advance to the championship game in Salem, Va.

Augustana made its sixth NCAA Division III Final Four appearance. The Vikings also finished second in 2015, 1993 and 1981 and third in 1975 and 1976.