WAUKESHA, Wis. – The Augustana women's basketball team will travel for a crucial conference clash against the Carroll Pioneers on Saturday, February 11. 

The Vikings currently sit third in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin, one spot behind Carroll with a record of 15-7, 9-4 in conference. Augie was off on Wednesday, with their most recent game action resulting in a 74-48 home triumph over Carthage on Saturday, February 4. The Vikings and Firebirds battled closely in the first half, seeing Augie hold an eight-point advantage entering the locker room. Augustana built a 23-point cushion in the third period, allowing the team to glide to the conference victory. The Vikings were led in scoring by Gabriela Loiz's 13-point effort, with three other scorers surpassing double-figures. Augie moved the ball efficiently against the Firebirds, with five players adding at least three assists, led by Emily Brenneisen and Presley Case with four apiece.

Carroll comes into Saturday's game with a 15-7 record, 10-3 in the CCIW, currently possessing the two-seed in the conference. The most recent contest for the Pioneers resulted in a 88-49 trouncing of Elmhurst on Wednesday. Carroll's bench was the centerpiece of the game, scoring 44 points, highlighted by Emilie Wizner's 11-point performance. The Pioneers shot exactly 50 percent from the field against the Bluejays, with Olivia Rangel leading the way with 20 points. Saturday's matchup will be the first of three straight for the Pioneers at home to close the regular season, where they are 8-0 this year. 

Augustana leads Carroll 19-8 in the all-time series. The most recent meeting between the two programs occurred on January 8, when the Vikings defeated the Pioneers 67-64 at home. Thanks to a disruptive defensive performance, Augie led by nine points at the half, scoring on 15 of their 33 points off turnovers. The Pioneers battled back in the final two frames, closing the gap to as little as two points with just over a minute remaining. After trading failed possessions, a foul from the Pioneers with 16 seconds remaining sent Loiz to the line. She converted one of her two attempts, with the Viking defense fending off two three-point attempts from Carroll in the closing moments to secure the 67-64 victory. Emma Berg led Augie's scoring efforts, contributing 16 points, good for her second-best output of the season.

Start time is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. from Van Male Fieldhouse. The stream link for the conference bout can be found here.