Box Score

ROCK ISLAND, Ill. – A furious comeback by Augustana fell just short in a 58-56 loss at home to Elmhurst on Wednesday, January 28 in College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin action. The Vikings, who trailed by as many as 22 points in the first half, and by 20 at halftime, narrowed the gap all the way to a single point with less than 30 seconds to play but were unable to come away with the victory.
 
In the first half Augustana struggled mightily on offense and made just seven of 26 shots (.269) and trailed 34-16. With 2:19 left before intermission the Elmhurst lead was 22 (32-10).
 
The second half was an entirely different story as the Vikings shot .560 (14-25) from the floor and held the Bluejays to just .357 (10-28) from the field. A 15-7 run in the first five minutes cut the lead to 10 (41-31) after a three point field goal from junior Andrea McNally (Hinsdale South HS, Burr Ridge, Ill.). Elmhurst responded and got the advantage up to 13 (46-33) with 13:01 left on a basket by Melanie Schwerdtmann.
 
Augustana roared back and went on a 23-11 run that eventually trimmed the lead to one point (57-56) with :29 left in the game. With :13 left the Bluejays' Fiona McMahon, who scored 11 points and had a team-high nine rebounds, missed the front end of a one-and-one but Elmhurst secured the rebound. The Vikings fouled Claire Monroe and she made the first charity toss to make it 58-56 but missed the second. However, Augustana turned the ball over with one second remaining and missed a chance at a final shot which could have tied or won the game.
 
Junior Marissa Pezzopane (Addison Trail HS, Wood Dale, Ill.) led Augustana with 18 points on seven of 11 shooting, including a three pointer, and three of three from the free throw line. She also grabbed seven rebounds. Freshman Victoria Allen (Eureka HS, Wildwood, Mo.) had 10 points, four assists, two rebounds and a pair of steals. Also in double figures was sophomore Katie Villa (Janesville Craig HS, Janesville, Wis.) with 10 points and two rebounds. Villa made four of five shots and both of her free throws. McNally scored six points but tied McMahon for the game high in rebounding with nine.
 
Elmhurst held a slim 33-31 advantage in rebounding and the Bluejays pulled down 13 offensive boards. The Bluejays got 15 points from Monroe, 11 from McMahon and 10 from Hannah Lipman.
 
Augustana is now 7-12 overall and 1-7 in the CCIW while Elmhurst is now 11-8 and 4-4. The Vikings will play at North Park on Saturday, January 31 at 5:00 p.m.