DUBUQUE, Iowa -- Augie women's basketball saw significant bench contributions on their way to a late 72-69 victory over the Loras Duhawks at the Loras Tip-Off Classic on Saturday.
Augie put together a productive first period, shooting 6-10 from the field and draining two of their three free throw attempts. The Vikings saw scoring from six different players, a theme that carried throughout the contest. Augie possessed a 19-13 lead entering the second quarter of play.
The Vikings worked through struggles in the second quarter where they shot just 10 percent from the field and 0-5 from deep. A 20-9 advantage for the Duhawks gave the home team a 33-28 advantage at halftime.
The offense came alive in the third quarter for Augustana, knocking down eight shots, including five from beyond the arc. Carly Stone was the Vikings' main contributor from deep, going 3-3 in the period. Augustana was also efficient on the glass through the first 10 minutes of the half snagging 17 boards. Loras kept pace, producing 19 points of their own to set the score at 52-49 favoring the Duhawks entering the final period.
The fourth quarter saw two late lead changes that ultimately vaulted Augie to their second win of the season. The Vikings continued to lean on their bench production, this time from Emma Berg, who saw nine of her 22 points in the final frame, including two go-ahead shots in the final 90 seconds. Berg finished a perfect 4-4 in the quarter, while Emily Brenneisen iced the game for Augie late, draining three of her four attempts from the line.
Augie snatched the lead for the first time in over 25 minutes with 1:15 left in the contest and never gave it back, dropping tournament hosts Loras by a 72-69 final.
Berg led the scoring effort for the Vikings, dropping 22 points on 8-9 shooting. Stone also cracked double figures in the game, finishing with 15 points on 5-6 shooting from three.
With the win, the Vikings improve to 2-0 for the second consecutive season. Augie will begin a six-game home stand on Friday, November 18 when they host the Dubuque Spartans to begin the Hyatt Place Tournament. Start time is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. from inside the Carver Center.
