Box Score
The Augustana women's basketball team held the University of Sioux Falls (USF) to 24 percent shooting in their 68-53 victory Wednesday in the Prairie Spirit Charitable Challenge at the Sioux Falls Arena in Sioux Falls, S.D.
The Vikings themselves shot only 34.3 percent from the field (12-of-35) in the first half, but improved drastically in the second stanza, going 14-of-29 from the field (48.3 percent). Augustana improved to 2-0 on the season while USF fell to 4-2.
Amy Puthoff led the Vikings with 21 points, with 17 coming in the second half. Puthoff has scored at least 20 points in her two games played this season, following a 22 point effort in the opener versus Chadron State.
With the Vikings shooting 1-of-7 to start the game, USF opened an early 7-4 after a three pointer from Kayla Blom at the 17:01 mark in the first half. Augie regrouped and turned the deficit into a 13-point lead (24-11), their largest of the half, after a fast break layup by
Chelsea DeVille concluded a 20-4 Viking run over 10 minutes, 11 seconds.
The Vikings again went cold, closing the half 2-of-13, and USF took advantage, outscoring Augie 13-4 as the Vikings took a 28-24 lead to halftime.
In the second half, the Vikings boosted the lead to 10 (38-28) two minutes into the half after Puthoff nailed a 3-pointer. USF began to chip into the lead, scoring 8 points off of 3 Augie turnovers over the next six minutes. The Cougars' came within two points of the Vikings at the 12:06 mark and again at the 10:19 mark.
It was then the Vikings' defense took over, forcing USF into 4 turnovers and a 1-of-12 shooting effort the rest of the half. Augie steadily built its lead into double digits, converting on 9 of its final 10 free throw attempts.
Megan Doyle contributed 13 points, and
Dani Arens poured in a season high 10 points, 7 rebounds and 4 blocked shots.
Whitney Hofer, who guarded her sister Jamey of USF much of the night, scored 5 points and tallied 12 rebounds. Chelsa Baxa led USF with 15 points.
The Vikings will return home Saturday to face Doane College. Tipoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
