ROCK ISLAND, Ill. – Augustana didn't take its first lead until 5:43 remained in Thursday's contest with North Central, but eventually came away a 69-63 winner at Carver Center. Coach Mark Beinborn's squad improved to 1-1 on the season and in the CCIW, while the Cardinals dropped to 0-3 and 0-3, respectively. The two teams square off again in Naperville, Illinois on Saturday, January 30 at 2:00 p.m.
 
After battling back from a 13-point second-quarter deficit, the Vikings had several opportunities in the third quarter to take their first lead, but were unable to capitalize. Haydn Braun's three-pointer gave North Central a 53-50 edge after three and Allison Pearson and Mitrese Smith scored the first two baskets of the fourth quarter to put the Cardinals up 57-50.
 
Augustana's final rally started with 7:50 to go on a Macy Beinborn (Pleasant Valley HS, Bettendorf, Iowa) jumper. A three-pointer by freshman Hannah Simmer (Rock Island HS, Rock Island, Ill.) cut the deficit to 57-55 and when sophomore Brie Bennis (Maquoketa HS, Delmar, Iowa) drilled a trey from the left corner with 5:43 left, the Vikings had their first lead of the night at 58-57.
 
IxChel Leeuwenburgh's conventional three-point play put the Cardinals back on top briefly, but a Linnea Johansen (Parkway South HS, Manchester, Mo.) bucket tied it at 60-all and when Bennis dropped in another jumper at the 3:50 mark, the hosts had the lead for good. Lauren Hall (Rock Island HS, Rock Island, Ill.) scored to extend the advantage to 64-60 and Augustana hit five of eight free throws in the final 30 seconds to seal the victory.
 
The Vikings trailed the entire first quarter until Simmer scored the final six points of the period to pull them even at 17-all. North Central rode three-pointers by Megan McClure, Braun and Pearson to an 11-0 second-quarter run that stretched the margin to its largest of the night at 34-21 with 4:41 left in the half. However, Hall scored twice and Johansen hit a triple to pull Augustana to within 34-28 at the break.
 
Hall had a big game, contributing 18 points, 18 rebounds and four assists. Simmer was perfect from the field (5-of-5, 2-of-2 from three) on her way to 18 points. She also had seven rebounds and a game-high three steals. Johansen reached double figures as well, with 11 points. Smith led the Cardinals with 16 points.
 
For the game, the Vikings shot just .324 (22-68) from the floor, .235 (8-34) from three-point range and .607 (17-28) from the free throw line, but controlled the boards by a 53-40 margin and committed 14 turnovers, while forcing 16. North Central hit 24 of 62 (.387) field goal attempts, six of 23 (.261) from beyond the arc and nine of 12 (.750) at the foul line.