ROCK ISLAND -- The Augustana Vikings women's basketball team defeated the North Central Cardinals in a CCIW conference battle on Wednesday by a score of 69-68.
In the first quarter, the Vikings scored the game's first bucket, but that lead quickly vanished as the Cardinals went on an 8-1 scoring run the next four minutes. The Vikings followed that up with a 7-1 point run of their own to end the first quarter, which included a smooth right-handed finish by Cali Papez, with a Vikings' lead of 10-9.
The Vikings took what ended up being their largest lead of the game after back-to-back buckets, one being a short jumper from Tia Lewis, with a five-point lead with 8:09 left in the second. The two teams improved on their shooting from the first frame by hitting their first few three pointers, and started to trade baskets throughout the quarter. With only three seconds left in the first half, Kadence Tatum took the ball up to half court and knocked down a deep three from the logo as time expired, which gave the Vikings a 33-30 lead into the break.
Right out of halftime, North Central took advantage after ten straight points, giving the Cardinals a 40-33 lead, their largest lead of the game. With the help of two Carly Stone mid-range jump shots, the Vikings erased the deficit with an eight-point run of their own, helping them take a 49-45 lead into the fourth quarter following both teams trading buckets.
Despite an early three-pointer from North Central, the Vikings extended their lead back to five with the help of a Papez layup through contact. Both teams fought back and forth, with a North Central layup that gave them a 68-63 lead with 1:19 left in the game being a critical moment. With aid from three free throws and a few big defensive stops, the Vikings inbounded the ball with 12 seconds left, where Jazmeriah Jones connected on a deep three-pointer, which gave the Vikings a one-point lead with only four seconds to go. After a steal and the ball being dribbled out, the Vikings took home a 69-68 victory.
Two Vikings scored double digits, Papez with 21 points and also 11 rebounds to go along, and Lewis with 17 points, five rebounds, and five assists. Jones also added seven points and six rebounds.
With the win, Augustana improves to 8-5 on the season, and 3-1 in CCIW conference games, and will play next on Saturday, Jan. 10, on the road against the Elmhurst Blue Jays.
