Box Score
Megan Doyle scored a career-high 30 points and Augustana withstood a 3-point barrage by Chadron State to earn a 102-89 season-opening win Sunday afternoon at the Elmen Center.
Augustana (1-0) scored over 100 points for the first time since erupting for 121 points against Bethany Lutheran on December 12, 2006. Meanwhile, Doyle, a sophomore from Alexandria, S.D., became the first Viking to score 30 points since
Lindsey Fischbach poured in 36 points against South Dakota in the North Central Conference Tournament on March 4, 2005.
The Vikings needed every one of those points to subdue Chadron State (0-2), who sank a school-record 16 3-pointers in the game.
Chadron State shot lights out at to start the game. Kristy Long drained three-straight 3-pointers as the Eagles made 5 of their first 7 shots behind the arc en route to a 19-11 lead with 14:55 left to play in the first half.
But the Vikings stepped up the defensive pressure which in turn jump-started their offense. Trailing 22-17 with 12:16 left in the half, Augustana went on a 17-2 run, including a stretch of 14 unanswered points to take a 34-24 lead with 7:45 to play in the half. Doyle ignited the rally with 10 of her 13 first-half points.
Augustana eventually pushed the lead to 13 points at 41-28 before CSC's Sunni Busch scored inside with 3:30 on the clock to make the score 41-30. That basket ended a span of 8:15 without a field goal.
That basket sparked the Eagles as they outscored the Vikings 13-3 over the final 3:30 to trim Augie's advantage to 44-41 at halftime.
Chadron State warmed up again midway through the second half. Trailing 57-55 with just under 14 minutes to play in the game, the Eagles buried three treys and added a 3-point play by Chelsea DeHaven to take a 67-59 lead with 12:08 left on the clock.
But Augustana had an answer. Trailing 68-61, the Vikings went on a 15-3 run and held CSC scoreless for nearly 4 minutes to regain the lead at 76-71 with just over 7 minutes to play.
After a 3-point play by Long, Augustana went on a 22-8 run to put the game out of reach at 98-82 with 2 minutes remaining in the contest.
Augustana received strong performances from its starting lineup. Doyle made 10 of 12 shots from the field, including all 4 3-point attempts. Meanwhile,
Amy Puthoff netted 22 points to go along with 6 rebounds and 4 steals.
Whitney Hofer had a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. She also dished out 5 assists and had 4 steals.
Chelsea DeVille made a triumphant return to the court. Playing in her first game since suffering a season-ending injury in the second game of last season, DeVille pumped in 13 points and led the Vikings with 8 assists and 5 steals.
Long led Chadron State with 26 points, while Alyssa Lyman poured in 23 points off the bench. Busch added 18 points and 10 rebounds.
Augustana has little time to savor this win. The Vikings return to action on Wednesday when they face the University of Sioux Falls in a 6 p.m. contest at the Sioux Falls Arena. The game is a part of the Prairie Spirit Charitable Challenge.
