BLOOMINGTON, Ill. -- The Augustana Vikings women's basketball team kicks off the 2025 calendar year with a road battle against the No. 2 Illinois Wesleyan Titans on Wednesday, January 8. 

The Vikings enter the contest with a 5-7 record after splitting the Titan Holiday Classic on December 20-21. In Augustana's most recent matchup, the team dominated Concordia-Chicago by a score of 78-44 on December 21. 

Augie quickly got on the board after a jumper by Kadence Tatum 15 seconds into the first quarter but the Cougars followed with three points to take a slight advantage. Cali Papez switched the upper hand back to the Vikings' favor with a pair of free throws and the team followed with five more points to create a six-point gap. Concordia evened the score at 9-9 but Augie closed out the quarter with eight consecutive points to lead 17-9 after 10 minutes of action. Papez kicked off the second quarter with a jumper in the paint to stretch the difference to double-digits. The Vikings maintained their offensive momentum and Tia Lewis created the largest gap of the quarter with a set of free throws to make a 31-17 score. Augie held a 13-point advantage with a 39-26 score heading into halftime. Augie shot 50 percent from behind the three-point line through the first 20 minutes, hitting five of its 10 attempts.

Returning to the court, Augie out-scored Concordia 20-9 in the third to move the differential out to 24 entering the final period. At 8:27, Augie began a 17-0 scoring run while keeping the Cougars scoreless until the 1:36 mark. In the fourth, the Vikings' defense continued to shine, holding Concordia under 10 points in a frame for the third time in the game. The team posted its second straight double-digit advantage in the frame alone to extend the margin and take the 32-point victory.

Three Vikings reached double figures in scoring. Tatum finished with 13 points, five rebounds, and eight assists. Papez notched her first double-double of the year with 10 points and 13 rebounds, while Emma Berg connected on five three-pointers to finish with a team-high 16 points. 

The Titans enter the mid-week contest undefeated with a 4-0 conference record. The team returns to action after a 59-45 victory over Wheaton on Saturday. Illinois Wesleyan shot 32.8 percent in field goals with 32 points in the paint. Lauren Huber led the team with 21 points and 15 rebounds, while Ava Bardic followed with 17 points. The Titans hold a 3-0 home record with their last home matchup resulting in a 71-52 victory against No. 18 Concordia-Chicago. 

Illinois Wesleyan holds a 54-25 all-time series record over Augie. The Titans secured a 77-51 victory in the CCIW semifinals last season in Bloomington. Papez concluded the game with 10 points, six rebounds, two assists, and a steal.

Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.