ROCK ISLAND – The Augustana women's basketball team clinched a postseason berth to the CCIW Tournament on Friday, defeating the visiting Carthage Firebirds at home by a score of 74-48.

In the opening minutes of the conference bout, Gabriela Loiz recorded all seven of Augustana's points, with the Vikings slowly building a 21-13 advantage by the conclusion of the frame. Augie shot at a 35 percent clip from the field as a team while also going a perfect 4-4 from the charity stripe. A back-and-forth second frame saw the Vikings and Firebirds each earn 13 points as Augie maintained a plus-eight advantage heading into the locker room. Emma Berg and Cali Papez each tallied six points through the halfway point. 

The third quarter saw Augie return to their first-period shooting prowess, extending their lead to 23. Five different Vikings registered scores, with Emily Brenneisen and Carly Stone each making a pair of three-point shots. Augie clamped down defensively in the second half of play, holding the Firebirds to a combined 22 points in the closing two periods. The Augie bench had a big part of the team's successful offensive night, outscoring the Carthage reserves 38-9.

Four Vikings eclipsed double figures in the contest, led by Loiz's 13-point effort. Stone scored 12, Brenniesen scored 11, and Papez scored 10 behind Loiz. On the glass, Papez led the way with six rebounds. Augie moved the ball efficiently, with five players adding at least three assists, led by Brenneisen and Presley Case with four apiece. The Viking defense held the Firebirds' three-point efforts in check, allowing just 5-29 from behind the arc. Carthage hit 13 in their first meeting back in December.

With the victory, Augustana improves to 15-7 overall and 9-4 in conference play. Augie will resume play on February 11, when they travel to face the Carroll Pioneers for their final regular season road trip. Tip-off is set for 2:00 p.m. from Van Male Fieldhouse.