Box Score
The Augustana women's basketball team used a strong first half to gain control of the game as the Vikings remained unbeaten on the year with a 75-58 victory over Southwest Minnesota State in opening day of the NSIC Holiday HoopsFest Saturday at the Sioux Falls Arena.
The 18th-ranked Vikings improved to 4-0 on the season while SMSU fell to 5-2 following its season-low point total. The Mustangs came into the game averaging over 84 points per game and had scored over 90 points in its last three outings.
Augustana shot the ball well in the first half, and the Vikings also made it difficult for Southwest Minnesota State to get into a shooting rhythm. The Vikings shot nearly 46 percent from the field in the half, making 11 of 24 shots. Meanwhile, SMSU made just 7 of 37 field goals, just 18.9 percent.
The Vikings relied on its senior tandem of
Whitney Hofer and
Amy Puthoff, who combined for 25 of Augie's 40 first-half points. Puthoff had the hot hand early. She scored 9 of her 11 first-half points in the first 8 minutes of the game. She knocked down back-to-back 3-pointers to give Augie a 17-9 lead with 12:36 left in the half.
After the Mustangs pulled to within 6 points at 26-20, Hofer took over as she scored 8 points during a 14-0 run that helped Augustana increase its advantage to 40-20 with 2 minutes left in the half. She finished the half with 14 points.
The Vikings put the game away early in the second half. Puthoff and
Megan Doyle knocked down 3-pointers to help Augie outscore SMSU 16-6 in the first 6 minutes of the half to boost its advantage to 56-29 with 14:07 remaining in the game.
Augustana finished the game shooting 44.4 percent from the field, making 24 of 54 shots. SMSU improved to 27.7 percent (18 of 65) after making 39 percent of its shots in the second half.
The Vikings also dominated the glass as they outrebounded the Mustangs 55-27. Augustana also owned a 20-12 advantage on the offensive boards.
Hofer led four Viking starters in double figures with a game-high 20 points to go along with 9 rebounds. Meanwhile, Puthoff picked up a double-double with 19 points and a career-high 12 rebounds.
Chelsea DeVille poured in 11 points to go along with 5 rebounds and 4 assists, while Doyle tossed in 10 points while matching her career high with 6 rebounds.
Abby Kenealy was the only Mustang to score in double figures as she netted 16 points.
Augustana returns to the court on Sunday when the Vikings take on Minnesota State University Moorhead at 5 p.m. at the Sioux Falls Arena.
