ELMHURST, Ill. -- The Augustana Vikings women's basketball team returned to conference play Wednesday as they battled the Elmhurst Bluejays concluding in a 69-67 victory.
After a slow start, Augie got on the board first after three-and-a-half minutes of play with a free throw from Cali Papez. The Bluejays followed with three made baskets to go out in front and help lead to a 16-12 advantage at the end of the first.
In the second quarter, it became a battle from behind the arc as a collection of 10 shots from both teams came beyond the three-point line. Augie took the advantage in that category, knocking down six of nine looks, while Elmhurst hit four of its nine. After trailing by as many as 10, the Vikings tied the game on a three-point shot from Emma Berg to even the score at 30 points apiece. The Bluejays offense followed with two made shots and a free throw to close out the half with a 35-30 score.
The Vikings returned to the court with two field goals from Macy Beinborn to tie the game before taking the lead moments later with a three from Carly Stone. Augie held on to its lead until two-and-a-half minutes left in the quarter, but a 10-2 run from Elmhurst to close out the frame gave them a 53-51 advantage heading into the fourth.
Three more ties kicked off the first three minutes of the final frame before a Beinborn pass to Papez gave the Vikings the lead around the five-minute mark. Augie never lost the lead, holding the Bluejays to just one made field goal in the final three minutes. After Kadence Tatum split a pair of foul shots, the Vikings' defense made one final stand, forcing a last-second look at the basket to fall short and seal the 69-67 win.
Papez earned a double-double with 18 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Vikings, also adding two assists and a block. Two other individuals grabbed double-digit points, with Beinborn securing 15 and Berg adding 14.
With the win, Augie moves to 3-1 in conference play and 8-5 overall. The Vikings will return to the Carver Center on Sunday, January 7 for a conference battle against No. 13 Illinois Wesleyan.
