ROCK ISLAND -- The Augustana Vikings women's basketball team dropped its CCIW opener against the No. 13 Illinois Wesleyan Titans by a score of 74-70.

In the opening quarter, the Titans found the early lead after a 5-2 run. Augie followed with layups by Cali Papez and Paige Melton to even the score of six apiece. Kadence Tatum stole Illinois Wesleyan's next possession and passed the ball to Jazmeriah Jones to push the Vikings ahead 8-6. The visitors drew the score even at 8-8 and regained the advantage after five straight points. The Titans pulled as far as eight before seven consecutive points moved Augie within one with 1:45 remaining. Augustana saw this gap once more, but a pair of free throws put Illinois Wesleyan ahead by a score of 24-21. 

The Vikings doubled the Titans in the second period with a 14-7 margin. Illinois Wesleyan scored first before scores by Melton and Audrey Erickson to move the score to 26-25. Augie saw this differential again after a jump shot by Cali Papez, and Carly Stone followed with a three-pointer to snatch the two-point lead. After a scoreless three minutes, Erickson shot a three-pointer to move the gap to five. Papez created the largest lead of six on a layup before the visitors closed the half with a fastbreak layup to make the score 35-31 entering the halftime break.

Returning to the court, Papez brought the difference back to six after a jump shot, but the Titans followed with five consecutive points to get within one. Jones pushed the gap back in Augie's favor before Illinois Wesleyan tallied three to even the score at 39-39. The teams tied three additional times before a good free throw by Tia Lewis put the Vikings ahead by one. The Titans regained the advantage with a pair of shots at the charity line to get as close as one with 3:47 remaining. Illinois Wesleyan pulled out and closed the quarter with a three-point shot to lead 56-50.

In the final quarter, the Vikings outscored the Titans once again with a 20-18 margin. The visitors created a double-digit gap with 7:17 on the clock before five points moved Augie within seven 30 seconds later. Augustana saw this gap three additional times before two free throws by Tatum got the team within four. With 25 seconds left, Erickson knocked down a three-pointer to as close as three, but a free throw by the Titans sealed the score 74-70.

Three different Vikings scored double-digits, with Melton leading with 14 points. Erickson followed with 12 points and five assists, while Jones notched 11 points and four rebounds. 

With the loss, Augie moves to 3-2 on the season and 0-1 in conference action. The Vikings will be back in action on Saturday, Dec. 6, for a non-conference showdown against UW-Platteville.