MONMOUTH, Ill. – The Augustana women's basketball team got back in the win column on Friday, picking up a road win in their final non-conference competition of the season over the Monmouth Fighting Scots by a 71-68 score.

Augie found themselves on the back foot early, enduring an 8-0 run from Monmouth to open the game. A five-point response helped mitigate the damage, as the Vikings battled back and forth in a first period that concluded with the Fighting Scots ahead by three. The Vikings clamped down in the second period, holding the opposition to nine points. A plus-eight frame put the Vikings ahead 36-31 entering the locker room. 

Corey Whitlock got Augie rolling out of the half, collecting eight points from inside the paint. The Vikings played an aggressive quarter of defense, generating three steals and a block while holding Monmouth to just 3-12 shooting. To open the final frame, the Fighting Scots sent in three consecutive makes from deep to briefly secure the lead at 5:14 for the first time in nearly two periods. Augie battled to retake and hold a slim lead before a contested corner three from Macy Beinborn with 1:30 remaining put Augie firmly in position to close the game. Monmouth closed the gap to as little as two points, but a made free-throw from Presley Case and forced turnover on the other end iced the 71-68 final score for the Vikings. 

Eight different Vikings contributed scores in the win, with Beinborn's 21 points leading the way. Augie generated 11 steals on defense, with Case and Kadence Tatum notching three apiece. On the glass, Whitlock brought down ten boards and also registered her second straight game with two blocks and her third outing of the season with that many rejections.

With the win, Augustana moves to 8-5 on the season. The Vikings hit the road for a conference contest with the Elmhurst Bluejays on January 4. Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m.