ROCK ISLAND -- The Augustana Vikings women's basketball team fell by a score of 71-57 to the Carthage Firebirds on Saturday. 

Carthage scored first in the contest, but Augie quickly followed and secured a slight advantage before the Firebirds evened the score to 4-4 at 5:54. The Firebirds closed the quarter with a nine-point run to make a 17-6 score after 10 minutes of play. 

Augustana outscored Carthage 18-12 in the second quarter to get within five at the break. The Firebirds notched the first points before the Vikings scored five in a row to move the deficit under 10. Augie put together an 11-3 scoring run in the final 3:30 to make it a 29-24 score after 20 minutes of action.

Carly Stone kicked off the third quarter with a layup before Kadence Tatum stole possession and made a fastbreak layup to make a one-point differential at 29-28. Two minutes later, Tatum evened the game at 32-32, but the Firebirds followed with five points to regain the lead. Paige Melton helped get Augie within one at 4:46, but Carthage secured the final seven points in the quarter to make it a 48-38 game entering the fourth. 

In the final 10 minutes of play, Augie got within six after a three-pointer from Emma Berg around the seven-minute mark. The Firebirds pulled away for good with a 17-7 run before Cali Papez' jumper closed the game at its 71-57 final.

Melton led the team with 20 points, five rebounds, two assists, and a steal. Berg and Papez followed with eight points apiece, while Papez also secured five rebounds, four assists, and a steal.

With the loss, Augie moves to 3-6 on the season and 1-2 in CCIW play. The team will be back in action at home on Tuesday, December 17 for a non-conference battle against Dubuque.