MOLINE, Ill. – Senior Izzy Anderson (Alleman HS, Rock Island, Ill.) scored a game-high 22 points and junior Alexis Jones (Marist HS, Chicago, Ill.) contributed a double-double of 17 points and 11 rebounds Sunday, as Augustana claimed the Genesis Collegiate Challenge with a 65-50 win over St. Ambrose at the TaxSlayer Center. Coach Mark Beinborn's club opens regular season play on Friday, November 9 at Benedictine.
 
Anderson scored five points and Jones four, as the Vikings jumped in front 9-0 in the first two and a half minutes. Madi Epperson's basket with 40 seconds left cut the Bees' deficit to 15-8 at the end of the first quarter.
 
Baskets by Jones and senior Scooter Lopez (Mountain Vista HS, Highlands Ranch, Colo.) pushed Augustana's lead to double digits (19-8) for the first time and it reached a dozen (28-16) on a Justice Edell (Rock Island HS, Rock Island, Ill.) three-pointer 4:31 before halftime. However, St. Ambrose closed the half with a 10-1 run and Joni Lafary's layup with one second left pulled the Bees to within 29-26 at the break.
 
Beinborn's crew responded when play resumed, opening the third quarter on a 16-0 run. The first 12 of those points were scored by six different Vikings and Anderson's bucket with 3:54 left in the period put Augustana on top 45-26. Again, St. Ambrose answered, outscoring Augustana 12-1 with a Maddy Cash basket cutting the margin to 46-38 at the end of three quarters.
 
Mia Lambert (Macomb HS, Macomb, Ill.) opened the fourth with a jumper that made it 48-38 and the Vikings' lead would dip under double digits just once (50-42) the rest of the way. Jones and senior Sadie Roberts (United Township HS, East Moline, Ill.) had consecutive three-pointers to put Augustana up 56-42. Anderson's last bucket of the night accounted for the final.
 
Anderson finished eight of 14 from the field, two of six from long range and four of seven from the free throw line. Jones converted seven of 13 from the floor, one of three from beyond the arc and two of two from the foul line. Her 11 rebounds were a game high. Lopez contributed six points, six rebounds and four assists and Roberts had five points, five rebounds, four assists and five blocked shots. Edell had seven points and six rebounds off the bench.
 
Cash led St. Ambrose with 14 points.
 
The Vikings finished 23 of 57 (.404) from the floor, five of 20 (.250) from three point range and 14 of 19 (.737) on free throws. The Bees were 16 of 57 (.281), one of 12 (.083) and 17 of 28 (.607), respectively. St. Ambrose won the battle of the boards 43-38 and committed 29 turnovers to 26 for Augustana.