ELMHURST, Ill. -- The Augustana Vikings women's basketball team travels to the campus of the Elmhurst Bluejays on Wednesday, January 29. 

The Vikings enter the contest with a 7-11 record and 3-6 in conference play. The team returns to action after falling to the Carthage Firebirds on Saturday by a score of 61-52. Augie scored first with a shot from Cali Papez but Carthage quickly followed with one of their own. The Vikings followed with four consecutive points with shots from Audrey Erickson and Papez to take the five-point advantage. The Firebirds clasped an 8-0 run to overtake the Vikings and Erickson closed out the first quarter with a three-pointer to get within two, but Carthage led 15-13. 

In the second quarter, Papez quickly evened the score and Augie followed with five more points with shots from Paige Melton and Carly Stone to lead 20-15. The Firebirds followed with an eight-point run to snatch a three-point advantage. A free throw from Stone got the Vikings within one but Carthage closed out the half with four points to lead 31-26 at halftime.

Returning to the court, the Firebirds outscored Augie 12-8 but Papez started the quarter with a jump shot to get the Vikings within three. The Firebirds created an 11-0 run for a 14-point advantage. Papez put up six consecutive points for Augie to get within eight but Carthage led 43-34 into the final quarter. 

Augustana drew even with the Firebirds with an 18-18 margin with a three-pointer from Emma Berg to start the final quarter. Carthage maintained the lead throughout the quarter with Augie getting as close as four after a six-point run to make a 54-50 score. The final points from both teams came for the free throw line with the Firebirds getting six attempts, while the Vikings had two to make a 61-52 final score. Papez narrowly missed a double-double with 20 points, nine rebounds, a block, and an assist. Melton grabbed eight shots off the glass and had four assists, while Kadence Tatum notched two steals and two assists. 

Elmhurst enters the contest with an overall record of 11-6 and 3-6 in CCIW action. The Bluejays return to action after a 69-65 win against North Central on Saturday. The team shot 39.4 percent in field goals, with 44 points in the paint. Cierra Steemer led with 19 points and 17 rebounds, while Kristin Bukata followed with 15, and Sierra Gibson put up 11 points. Elmhurst owns a 7-1 home record this season, with their last home matchup resulting in a 74-59 victory against North Park on January 15. 

Augie holds a 52-29 all-time series record over the Bluejays. The Vikings conquered the most recent matchup in the Carver Center on December 4 by a score of 80-72. Four different Vikings collected double-digit points with Melton being the top scorer with a career high of 31 points to go with eight rebounds. Tatum followed with 14, while Tia Lewis added 11, and Emma Berg had 10.

Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.