ROCK ISLAND, Ill. – Balanced scoring was the key for Augustana in an 84-74 College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin victory over Carroll on Saturday, December 7 in the Carver Center. The Vikings of head coach Mark Beinborn stuffed five players in double figures and a sixth ended the game just shy with nine points.
 
After trailing for the majority of the first stanza, Augustana trimmed the lead to two points (24-22) with a three point field goal from senior Jeni Crain (Woodstock HS, Woodstock, Ill.) in the final minute of the first frame.
 
A Justice Edell (Rock Island HS, Rock Island, Ill.) three point field goal with 6:28 in the second gave the Vikings a three-point lead (33-30) and the home team would never relinquish it. By halftime the margin grew to eight points (48-40) as Crain nailed another three pointer that beat the buzzer.
 
In the third quarter the Vikings ripped off an 18-6 run over the first six minutes to take an 18-point lead (64-46) with 3:36 left on a conventional three point play by senior Alexis Jones (Marist HS, Chicago, Ill.) off a feed from Crain. Carroll responded with an 11-4 run to close out the period to bring the margin to 11 points (68-57).
 
Carroll was able to cut the advantage into single digits in the final minute of play but after getting it down to eight points (82-74) with :23 left a pair of free throws by Edell with :10 left on the clock sealed the victory for Augustana.
 
Edell was the leader of the balanced scoring attack as she dropped in 17 points on five of eight from the field, including five of six from three point range. She was also perfect on both free throws and added four rebounds and three assists. Edell was one of five to hit in double digits as senior Mia Lambert (Macomb HS, Macomb, Ill.) scored 14 with six assists and Jones, Crain and freshman Gabriela Loiz (Alleman Catholic HS, Davenport, Iowa) each had 11 points. Sophomore Lauren Hall (Rock Island HS, Rock Island, Ill.) scored nine points.
 
The Vikings nailed 13 of 26 three point field goals during the game. They also had a slim 39-37 advantage in the rebounding department with Jones hauling in 13 and she also had four assists.
 
Carroll was led in scoring by Theresa Wichser with 18 points.
 
Augustana is now 5-5 on the season and 1-1 in the CCIW while Carroll drops to 2-5 and 0-2. The Vikings will be in action again on Sunday, December 15 when they host Illinois Wesleyan at 1:00 p.m.