ROCK ISLAND -- The Augustana Vikings women's basketball team will remain at the Carver Center on Tuesday, December 16 for a non-conference battle against the Dubuque Spartans. 

The Vikings are 3-6 on the season and return to action after falling to the Carthage Firebirds on Saturday by a score of 71-57. Carthage scored first in the contest, but Augie quickly followed and secured a slight advantage before the Firebirds evened the score to 4-4. 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 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's 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.

The Spartans enter the contest with a 2-6 overall record and return after a 71-69 victory on Saturday against Nebraska Wesleyan. Dubuque shot 47.4 percent with 46 points in the paint, while their opponent shot 41.3 percent. Samantha McDonald led the Spartans with 20 points and four steals. Madi Peterson and Brynn Haas followed with 10 points apiece, while Morgan Hawkins collected 15 shots off the glass. Dubuque has a 1-2 away record with their last road game being the win against Nebraska Wesleyan.

Augie holds an 18-2 all-time series record over the Spartans. The Vikings won the most recent matchup at Dubuque by a score of 71-66 last season. Berg led the team with 15 points in the win, while Tatum followed with 12. 

Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.