DECATUR, Ill. – Augustana women's basketball (5-3, 0-1) suffered their third loss of the season and first in conference play this afternoon. The Vikings defeat came on the road to the Big Blue of Millikin (5-3, 1-0).
 
Both teams battled throughout today's contest, but the Big Blue maintained a slight advantage from start to finish. Millikin narrowly edged Augie in the first period and held a 19-17 lead after the opening quarter. The Big Blue extended their lead in the second quarter after allowing just 11 Viking points.
 
After the halftime break, the Millikin kept their foot on the gas and outscored the Vikings in both the third and fourth quarters to secure the nine-point victory.
 
Augustana was paced by leading scorer Gabriela Loiz with another superb performance. Loiz posted 19 points and six rebounds. Linnea Johnson was the only other Augie athlete in double figures with 11 points.
 
Millikin had three players finish with double-digits in the scoring column including Elyce Knudsen with a game-high 20 points, Jordan Hildebrand with 17, and Bailey Coffman with 13.
 
The Vikings will continue their season next weekend with their home conference opener against Carthage on Saturday, Dec. 11.