ROCK ISLAND, Ill. – Behind senior Scooter Lopez (Mountain Vista HS, Highlands Ranch, Colo.) and junior Alexis Jones (Marist HS, Chicago, Ill.), Augustana led wire-to-wire Thursday in defeating Elmhurst 77-55 at Carver Center. With the win—delayed a day by the polar vortex—Coach Mark Beinborn's club moved to 12-9 on the season and

6-6 in the CCIW and solidified its hold on fourth place in the league standings. The Bluejays dropped to 8-12 overall and 4-7 in the conference.
 
Lopez hit a three-pointer from the top of the key and a short jumper from the right baseline as Augustana jumped on top 7-0 less than two minutes in. Elmhurst got as close as 9-4 on a Marissa Urso bucket, but four different Vikings scored in a 9-0 run that extended their advantage to 18-4 and the hosts went on to lead 19-6 after one period.
 
The margin continued to grow in the second quarter. Sadie Roberts (United Township HS, East Moline, Ill.) parlayed an assist from freshman Lauren Hall (Rock Island HS, Rock Island, Ill.) into a bucket that put Augustana on top 25-8 with 7:57 left in the half. The Bluejays got a Julia Madrid basket and an Urso three-pointer to get within a dozen (25-13), but Augustana finished the half on a 10-3 run. The Vikings' final two baskets, an Izzy Anderson (Alleman HS, Rock Island, Ill.) three-pointer and a Justice Edell (Rock Island HS, Rock Island, Ill.) layup, both beat the shot clock buzzer and Augustana took a 35-16 advantage to the halftime break.
 
The Vikings withstood a barrage of Urso three-pointers early in the third quarter. Her fourth of the period, just past the midway point, drew Elmhurst to within 42-28. However, Lopez answered with a three-pointer and added a deuce and Clare Kramer's (Prophetstown HS, Lyndon, Ill.) conventional three-point play extended the lead back to 18 at 50-32. Beinborn's crew eventually had a 54-36 edge going to the final period.
 
The guests scored the first five points of the fourth quarter, but Augustana responded again. Jones hit four free throws and Mia Lambert (Macomb HS, Macomb, Ill.) a three-pointer in a 7-0 Viking run that made it 61-41. A pair of Anderson free throws with 6:17 to play stretched the margin to its largest of the night at 67-44. Augustana matched that lead twice more before settling for the final 22-point spread.
 
Lopez led a balanced Viking attack with 17 points, while adding nine rebounds, four assists and three steals. Jones turned in an outstanding all-around effort as well, with 12 points, nine rebounds, eight assists and three steals. Anderson and Kramer also scored in double figures with 11 and 10, respectively. Urso tallied a game-high 19 for the Bluejays.
 
Augustana finished the night 26 of 56 (.464) from the field, eight of 14 (.571) from three-point range and 17 of 26 (.654) from the free throw line. The Vikings recorded 20 assists on their 26 field goals, won the battle of the boards 44-37 and committed just 12 turnovers. Elmhurst shot .292 (19-65) from the floor, .389 (7-18) from beyond the arc and .769 (10-13) at the foul line and turned it over 15 times.
 
On Saturday, February 2, Augustana hosts North Park, with tipoff at Carver Center scheduled for 5:00 p.m.