KENOSHA, Wis. -- The Augustana Vikings women's basketball team travels north to face the Carthage Firebirds on Saturday, January 25.

The Vikings enter the contest with a 7-10 record and 3-5 in conference play. The team returns to action after falling to Wheaton 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 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. 

Returning to the court, a jump shot from Papez narrowed the gap to two to make a score of 36-34. The Thunder followed with five points to stretch the advantage to seven before extending it to eight. 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 held Wheaton to just two points 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. 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. 

Carthage enters the contest with an overall record of 13-4 and 5-3 in CCIW play. The Firebirds return to action after a win against North Central in overtime with a score of 62-60. The team shot 40.3 percent in field goals, with 32 points in the paint. Marianna Morrissey led the team with 15 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and two steals. Emma Thistle followed with 10 points, seven rebounds, and five assists. Carthage holds a 5-2 home record, with their last matchup resulting in a 55-52 loss to Millikin on January 11. 

The Firebirds hold a 44-35 all-time series record over Augie. Carthage conquered the most recent matchup in the Carver Center on December 14 by a score of 71-57. Paige Melton led the team with 20 points, five rebounds, two assists, and a steal. Emma Berg and Papez followed with eight points apiece, while Papez also secured five rebounds, four assists, and a steal.

Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m.