ROCK ISLAND -- The Augustana Vikings women's basketball team conquered the North Park Vikings on Saturday, winning by a score of 66-34.
Augustana started the contest with a strong defensive display, holding North Park to a shooting percentage of 19 and just eight points, while Augie notched 18 points on 47 percent shooting in the first. The Vikings also out-rebounded the visitors 15-8 in the frame to help lead to the early advantage. Augie closed out the first with a 10-point lead, heading into the second with a score of 18-8.
In the second, the defense remained dominant as Augie held North Park to just four made shots, while also posting their best offensive quarter with 19 points. After the Vikings stretched the lead out to 17 points, North Park inched closer and cut it to 12 with 90 seconds left in the half. An and-one finish from Cali Papez and a layup from Whitlock in the final minute brought the score to 37-20 entering the break.
Augie held on to their momentum returning from the halftime break and increased their gap with a 16-9 margin. The Vikings continued to overcome the visitors in rebounds, snatching 16, while North Park had seven. Augie held North Park to just four made field goals for the second straight quarter and nearly doubled up the score at 53-29 heading into the final 10 minutes of play.
The last minutes of the contest were low-scoring for both teams. A majority of the points came from the charity line as Augie obtained five points and North Park grabbed three in a 13-5 fourth-quarter advantage. Augustana's defense continued to dominate, swiping three steals and blocking four shots as they coasted to the 32-point victory. Augie held their opponent to just one made shot in the fourth and finished the game holding them in single digits in three of the four frames.
Two Vikings earned a double-double in the win. Papez tallied 17 points, 12 rebounds, and a steal, while Whitlock had 12 points, 10 rebounds, two blocks, and two steals. Other top contributors were Emma Berg with 13 points and Kadence Tatum with six points, six rebounds, 10 assists, and a steal. Kylee DeVore also added 10 points in 11 minutes off the bench.
With the victory, Augie improves to 6-4 overall and 2-1 in conference play. The Vikings will be back in action on Tuesday, December 19, and Wednesday, December 20 for the Hope Post Exam Jam tournament in Holland, Mich.
