Box Score

ROCK ISLAND, Ill. – Augustana failed to convert on numerous opportunities down the stretch and that proved costly as Elmhurst escaped the Carver Center on Wednesday, January 6 with a 66-61 College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin victory. The Vikings missed its last four shots from the field and seven of eight from the free throw line in the final 3:49 and watched as a 10 point lead in the final 4:24 evaporated. The visiting Bluejays closed the game on a 16-1 run.
 
Augustana led by six (33-27) at half and by five (49-44) at the three quarter mark. With 5:01 left in the game freshman Sadie Roberts (United Township HS, East Moline, Ill.) nailed a pair of free throws to push the lead to 10 (58-48) and at 4:24 her field goal from the side made it 60-50.
 
From that point on the game belonged to Elmhurst as Mikaela Eppard, who would finish with 15 points and nine rebounds, nailed a three point field goal to make it 60-53. The Vikings had a chance to salt the game away but missed four straight free throws before Eppard scored with 3:18 left to cut the lead to 60-55.
 
Junior point guard Olivia Mayer (Libertyville HS, Green Oaks, Ill.) converted on one of two free throws at the 2:15 mark (the only point for Augustana in the final 4:24) to make it 61-55. Elmhurst got a three point field goal at 2:00 from Kaela Jones to trim the margin to 61-58 and with 1:34 left Michaela Kumer scored to close the gap to 61-60. Kumer's three point field goal at :46 put the visitors in front 63-61.
 
In the final 1:11 Augustana would miss four field goals and two free throws while Elmhurst converted on three of four from the charity stripe in the final :15 to seal the win.
 
Senior Marissa Pezzopane (Addison Trail HS, Wood Dale, Ill.) led the way for the Vikings with 21 points while Roberts joined her in double figures with 11. Sophomore Victoria Allen (Eureka HS, Wildwood, Mo.) led Augustana in rebounding with seven while juniors Jennifer VanWatermeulen (United Township HS, Silvis, Ill.) and Kaycee Kallenberger (Pleasant Valley HS, Bettendorf, Iowa) each had five. The two teams battled to a 38-38 standoff in rebounding.
 
Kumer had 16 points and Eppard dropped in 15 to lead the way for the Bluejays with Eppard pulling down nine rebounds and also notching three assists and two steals.
 
Augustana, which knocked off eighth ranked Wheaton on Saturday, fell to 6-7 overall and 1-1 in the CCIW while Elmhurst is now 7-6 overall and 1-1 in league play. The Vikings travel to Chicago, Illinois on Saturday, January 9 for a 5:00 p.m. battle with North Park.