DUBUQUE, Iowa – A sluggish period in the latter part of the first quarter doomed Augustana on Saturday, November 16 as the Vikings dropped a 75-64 decision to 24^th ranked Washington in the third place game of the Loras Tip-off Tournament in Dubuque, Iowa. Head coach Mark Beinborn's team fell behind by double digits in the first quarter and were never able to overcome that early deficit.
 
Augustana had an 11-9 lead with 6:12 left in the first quarter after a basket by senior Alexis Jones (Marist HS, Chicago, Ill.). However, that would be the last time the Vikings would lead as Washington's Isabelle Hren hit a three-pointer to give the Bears a 12-11 lead at the 5:42 mark. That basket by Hren sparked a 13-0 run for Washington that made the score 22-11 with 2:56 left in the first stanza.
 
That surge proved to be a significant factor in the game.
 
In the second quarter Washington would build the lead to 21 (41-20) with 5:09 left before intermission. The Vikings finished the half on a 16-6 run to cut the deficit to 11 (47-36) at halftime. Senior Jeni Crain (Woodstock HS, Woodstock, Ill.) sparked that run with a basket at 4:13 and then added two free throws at the 4:00 mark. Senior Mia Lambert (Macomb HS, Macomb, Ill.) chipped in with a pair of three-pointers, Jones had a basket and freshman Gabriela Loiz (Alleman Catholic HS, Davenport, Iowa) added two free throws for Augustana.
 
The Vikings cut the lead to five points with 1:30 left in the third quarter when a layup by Loiz off an assist from junior Justice Edell (Rock Island HS, Rock Island, Ill.) trimmed the score to 60-55.
 
Washington got a basket from Rachel Mahler with nine seconds left to take a 64-56 advantage into  the fourth quarter. The Vikings were able to get the margin into single digits only once and that came with 2:03 left in the game when Jones sank a pair of free throws.
 
Jones led Augustana in scoring with 17 points and she pulled down eight rebounds while Lambert added 15 and Loiz had 15. Edell had a team high three assists and grabbed seven rebounds. The Vikings struggled behind the arc, making just three of 21 attempts. Washington also held a commanding 42-31 lead in the rebounding department.
 
The Bears had four players in double digits with Kristina Schmelter leading the way with 15 points and she also hauled in 11 rebounds.
 
Augustana, now 1-3 on the year, will travel to Whitewater, Wisconsin on Wednesday, November 20 to face Wisconsin-Whitewater.