ROCK ISLAND – Augustana women's basketball team came out on top after a late surge for the second consecutive game on Friday, defeating the Dubuque Spartans by a 64-61 score in the first contest of the Hyatt Place Tournament.
The Vikings put together a promising first period offensively, leading the Spartans in the paint by a 10-8 margin, but hurt themselves with six turnovers in the period, which turned into seven converted points for Dubuque. The score was tight exiting the quarter, with the Spartans narrowly edging the Vikings by a 16-14 score.
Augie came out aggressive in the second period, putting up 16 shots, including the Vikings' lone three-point score of the half from Emma Berg. Berg produced a seven-point quarter, tacking on a rebound and assist to add to an impressive bench effort from the Vikings. Augie saw a nine-point run in the quarter, which resulted in a five-point margin at the time, the largest lead of the game by either team.
The Vikings held the Spartans to just 26 percent shooting on 30 shot attempts in the half and entered the locker room with a 28-26 lead.
Augustana saw their lowest scoring period exiting the half, mustering 13 points in the third. The Vikings allowed seven second-chance points to the Spartans in the frame and found themselves trailing 44-41 entering the fourth quarter.
In a fourth quarter that saw six total lead changes, the Vikings and Spartans saw a 59-59 with just over a minute remaining. Emily Brenneisen gave the Vikings the edge once and for all, draining a deep three-point attempt with four seconds remaining on the shot clock. The Spartans turned over the ball with 14 seconds remaining, forcing Macy Beinborn to the line to ice the game. Augie held on for the 64-61 victory to advance to Saturday's championship game.
The Vikings were led in scoring by Gabriela Loiz, who dropped in 15 points while also bringing down seven boards Brenneisen contributed double-digit points with 14, while the bench put together another strong performance with 33 points.
With the win, the Vikings improve to 3-0 and will face No. 22 ranked UW-Oshkosh in Saturday's championship match. Start time is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. tomorrow, November 19, from inside the Carver Center.
