ROCK ISLAND -- The Augustana Vikings women's basketball team overcame a 15-point third-quarter deficit on Wednesday, using a 29-point final period to defeat the North Central Cardinals at home by a score of 67-59.

The Cardinals were first to put up points, scoring the first five on their way to a 10-2 lead. Augie found their momentum and answered with an identical 10-2 surge of their own to even the score at 12 points apiece. North Central snatched the lead back with three free throws to conclude the first up 15-12. The Vikings offense slowed down in the second, out-scored 20-13 by the visitors as they fell behind by 10 after one half of action. Augie trailed 35-25, with Cali Papez and Emma Berg leading with eight points.

The Vikings out-scored North Central 13-10 in the third to close the gap to seven points. After falling behind by 15 points at 45-30, Augie closed the period with eight straight points in the final 90 seconds, fueled by four points and a pair of steals from Carly Stone. Despite shooting just 28 percent, the Vikings knocked down 5-6 shots from the free throw line, while holding the Cardinals without an opportunity. 

In a high-scoring final quarter for Augustana, the team took its first lead of the game on a layup from Kadence Tatum with 3:39 remaining. The Vikings defense held the Cardinals to two made shots for the remainder of the contest and regained the lead for good on a three-pointer from Macy Beinborn with two minutes to go. Augie hit 60 percent of its looks from the field in the fourth, while holding North Central to just 35 percent and closed the game on a 23-5 run.

Papez earned a double-double for the third straight game with 24 points, 15 rebounds, and three blocks. Stone and Berg both grabbed 11 points in tonight's win, while Whitlock added 12 boards. As a team, the Vikings out-rebounded the Cardinals 46-34.

With the win, Augie moves to 4-2 in conference play and sits 9-6 overall. The Vikings will continue their home game streak as they host the Carroll Pioneers on Saturday.