Box Score

MONMOUTH, Ill. – Coming off its best season in nearly a quarter of a century, Augustana opened the 2017-18 season in impressive fashion with a convincing 95-70 win at Monmouth on Wednesday, November 15. It was the season opener for both teams and the Vikings, with the defense smothering the Fighting Scots, picked up the 25 point victory.
 
Head Coach Mark Beinborn's squad, which went 17-9 a year ago, jumped on the hosts early, sprinting out to a 15-4 lead just past the five minute mark of the first quarter. Eventually the initial stanza would end with Augustana on top 27-12. During the second quarter the lead grew to as much at 25 points (50-25) after a basket by freshman Justice Edell (Rock Island HS, Rock Island, Ill.) just before halftime. The halftime margin was 23 points as Monmouth's Carley Turnbull scored right before the buzzer.
 
The lead ballooned to 27 points early in the third quarter (60-33 at 6:45) before a Monmouth run of 8-2 just before the end trimmed the margin to 19 (67-48) heading into the fourth. The Fighting Scots cut the lead to 14 (67-53) after a three point basket by Stephanie Williams with 7:29 left in the game. However, a three point field goal by sophomore Alexis Jones (Marist HS, Chicago, Ill.) pushed the gap to 17.
 
Down the stretch an 18-9 run by Augustana eventually accounted for the final margin of 95-70.
 
Junior Izzy Anderson (Alleman Catholic HS, Rock Island, Ill.) led the Vikings in scoring with 25 points and she also had six assists, five rebounds and a steal. Senior Victoria Allen (Eureka HS, Wildwood, Mo.) dropped in 22 points and was a perfect nine of nine from the floor, including two of two from three point range, and two of two from the free throw line. Allen pulled in three rebounds and had two steals and an assist.
 
Junior Scooter Lopez (Mountain Vista HS, Highlands Ranch, Colo.), in her starting debut at point guard, had 13 points, four assists, four steals and four rebounds. Jones had 11 points, three rebounds and four steals and junior Clare Kramer (Prophetstown HS, Lyndon, Ill.) was in double figures as well with 10 points and four rebounds.
 
The rebound leader for the Vikings, who enjoyed a slim 45-42 edge on the boards, was junior Meghan Stovall (Broomfield HS, Broomfield, Colo.) with seven. She also added eight points.
 
Augustana shot .494 (38-77) from the field for the game and only committed 11 turnovers while forcing Monmouth to turn the ball over 25 times. The Fighting Scots were led in scoring by Jeni Crain with 21 points.
 
The Vikings will host Coe on Saturday, November 18 at 2:00 p.m. in the Carver Center for their home opener.