ROCK ISLAND -- The Augsutana Vikings women's basketball team fell to the Wheaton Thunder on Wednesday by a score of 64-62.
Wheaton struck first in the contest, but Augie quickly followed with a made basket from Kadence Tatum. The Thunder stretched the gap to as many as 10 points in the opening quarter, but the Vikings created a 6-3 run in the final three minutes of play to make it an 18-11 score at the end of the first.
In the second quarter, Augie got within three points after back-to-back three-pointers by Lexi Hayes and Audrey Erickson to make a 20-17 game. A basket by Cali Papez around the three-minute mark finally pulled the Vikings even at 28 points apiece, but Wheaton ended the half on a 5-2 run to bring a 33-30 score to enter halftime. Stone led the team with seven points after 20 minutes of action, while Tatum and Papez had six.
Returning to the court, a jump shot from Papez narrowed the gap to two to make a score of 36-34 at 7:05. The Thunder followed with five points to stretch the advantage to seven before extending it to eight at 4:25, the largest lead by either team in the second half. A Dolly Smith three as the shot clock expired halted the momentum and three free throws in the final three minutes brought the Vikings within two. Augie Wheaton to just two points in the 4:25 and trailed 46-42 entering the fourth.
In the fourth, Augie used a 7-0 run that ended with a jump shot in the paint from Melton to even the score at 50-50 with six minutes remaining. Wheaton went back out in front with a three and remained in the lead until a Carly Stone three-pointer with nine seconds remaining evened the score at 62. The Thunder connected on a shot with just a second remaining to take the game 64-62.
Papez narrowly missed a double-double with 16 points, nine rebounds, and three assists. Stone followed with 12 points, while Tatum notched nine points, five rebounds, and six assists.
With the loss, Augie moves to 7-10 overall and 3-5 in conference play. The Vikings will be back on the road on Saturday, January 25 for a conference battle against Carthage.
