ROCK ISLAND -- The Augustana Vikings women's basketball team remains in the Carver Center on Wednesday, February 5 for a midweek battle against the North Park Vikings.

The Vikings enter the contest with a 8-12 record and 4-7 in conference play. The team returns to action after defeating the North Central Cardinals on Saturday by a score of 80-70. North Central collected the early after seeing a pair of six-point leads, 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 first quarter and take a 19-14 lead. After tying the game in the first 1:27 of the second quarter, the Vikings capped off an 8-0 run 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. North Central closed the quarter with a jumper, but the Vikings led 36-31 at halftime. 

Returning to the court, Augie outscored the Cardinals 23-14. 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. 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. 

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. 

North Park enters the contest with an overall record of 3-17 and 0-11 in CCIW action. The Vikings return to action after a 56-40 loss against Carthage on Saturday. The team shot 25.5 in field goals, with 20 points in the paint. Aliyah Hershberger and Evelyn Abundes led with 10 points apiece, while Caroline Long notched nine rebounds. North Park owns a 2-5 away record with their last road matchup resulting in a 72-61 loss against Millikin on January 25. 

Augie holds a 45-38 all-time series record over North Park. Augustana conquered the most recent matchup in Chicago, Ill. on January 11 by a score of 66-41. Erickson was the top scorer with 15 points, while Melton followed close behind with 13.

Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.