KENOSHA, Wis. – The Augustana women's basketball team (12-12, 6-9) returned the .500-mark overall this afternoon with a crucial road victory over the Carthage Firebirds (10-13, 5-9).
 
The Vikings and Firebirds battled through a competitive first half with Augie winning the first period and Carthage taking the second. Augustana led by as many as six points in the first quarter before the hosts roared back at the end of the period. The two teams continued to trade blows in the second period as Destiny Antoine buried a deep three to give Carthage a 26-25 halftime lead.
 
After the break, Carthage extended their lead up to four points, but the Vikings refused to go away. Hannah Simmer nailed a pair of free throws in the waning moments of the third quarter to cut the deficit to just one point. Augustana finally got some separation in the early stages of the fourth period. Gabriela Loiz banked one in, and Macy Beinborn drilled a clutch three to give Augie a six-point advantage. Carthage did not fold, though, and eventually recaptured the lead again. Beinborn's three-point prowess proved to be the difference with a huge bucket with just over a minute to play. Emily Brenneisen put the final nail in the coffin with a two-point jumper to seal the Vikings' 62-58 victory.
 
Beinborn led all scorers with 22 points on six-of-nine shooting from three-point range. Simmer added 11 points and nine rebounds for the Vikings.
 
Carthage was led by Ayanna Ester with 12 points and Marianna Morrissey with 10.
 
Augustana returns to action next weekend with the final game of the 2021-22 regular season. Augie will host Illinois Wesleyan on Saturday, Feb. 19 for Senior Night.