ROCK ISLAND -- The Augustana Vikings women's basketball team picked up a bounce-back victory over the North Central Cardinals on Saturday, winning by a score of 80-70.
North Central collected the early advantage after seeing a pair of six-point leads in the first five minutes to play, but Augie countered with a 6-0 run to even the score at 12-12 on made shots from three different players. The Cardinals followed with a 7-2 run to close out the opening 10 minutes and take a 19-14 lead into the second.
After tying the game in the first 1:27 of the second quarter, the Vikings capped off an 8-0 run around the 6:30 mark to go out in front 24-20. Augie maintained a lead throughout the remainder of the half, with their largest lead reaching seven after a hook shot by Cali Papez with 1:17 remaining. North Central closed the quarter with a jumper, but the Vikings led 36-31 at halftime. Papez led the team with 10 points and five rebounds after 20 minutes of play.
Returning to the court, Augie outscored the Cardinals 23-14 through the next 10 minutes of action. The Vikings held North Central to just four points in the first five minutes of the quarter before finding a double-digit lead at 45-35 following a layup by Emma Berg. The Vikings later secured their largest lead of 16 after six consecutive free throws to make a 55-39 score. Papez closed the quarter with a jump shot to make a 14-point difference with a score of 59-45 heading into the final frame.
Augie started the fourth quarter with the first five points after points by Kadence Tatum and Jazmeriah Jones to obtain a 19-point gap. The Cardinals charged back and got as close as seven, but three made shots from the free throw line secured the win by 10 points.
As a team, the Vikings racked up 24 assists, tied for the most they have seen since the 2017-18 season. Papez led the team with 17 points, 11 rebounds, and three assists. Audrey Erickson and Carly Stone followed with 13 apiece, while Tatum notched eight assists and grabbed five shots off the glass.
With the win, Augie moves to 9-12 on the season and 4-7 in conference play. The Vikings will stay in the Carver Center on Wednesday, February 5 to host North Park.
