ROCK ISLAND -- The Augustana Vikings women's basketball team hosts the Wheaton Thunder on Wednesday, January 22 for their third straight home game.
The Vikings enter the contest with a 7-9 record and 3-4 in conference play. The team returns to action after falling to Carroll on Saturday by a score of 81-52. Carroll struck first but Augie followed with four points with baskets by Cali Papez and Kadence Tatum to take the slight advantage after three minutes of play. The Pioneers followed with an 8-2 run to move the difference to 11-6. At 3:19, a three-pointer from Emma Berg evened the game at 11-11 and both teams drew even three additional times. Paige Melton closed out the first quarter with two good free throws to make it an 18-18 score after 10 minutes. The Pioneers outscored the Vikings 22-8 in the second to enter halftime with a score of 40-26. Papez led Augie with 11 points, three rebounds, and a block.
Returning to the court, Augie fought back to get within 14 after a three-pointer from Tatum. Tatum closed out the quarter with a pair of free throws but Caroll maintained a 19-point advantage with a score of 60-41. The Pioneers secured a 21-11 margin in the fourth quarter to conclude the game with a final score of 81-52.
Papez led the team with 15 points, seven rebounds, a block, and an assist. Melton and Stone followed with eight points, while Tatum had seven.
Wheaton enters the contest with an overall record of 8-8 and 3-4 in CCIW play. The Thunder returns to action after falling to Carthage last Saturday by a score of 56-54. The team shot 40.4 percent in field goals with 18 points in the paint. Annika Richardson led the team with 24 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, two steals, and a block to claim CCIW Player of the Week. Kate Oliver followed with 11 points, six rebounds, five assists, and three steals. Wheaton holds a 3-5 away record, with their last road matchup resulting in a 66-52 victory over North Central on January 15.
The Thunder holds a 55-26 all-time series record over Augie. Wheaton conquered the most recent matchup at Wheaton last season by a score of 67-49. Tatum notched 10 points, while Papez grabbed nine boards off the glass, and Carly Stone had five assists.
Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.
