BOX SCORE
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -
Molly Hayes,
Megan Doyle and
Alex Feeney combined for 49 points to lead Augustana to a 66-49 victory over the University of Sioux Falls Wednesday night in the fourth annual Prairie Spirit Charitable Challenge at the Sioux Falls Arena.
Augustana moves to 2-0. The game was an exhibition contest for USF, which was 4-0 entering the evening.
Doyle was a perfect 7 of 7 from the free-throw line and was 5 of 12 from the floor to help her record a game-high 17 points. She also added nine rebounds. Hayes and Feeney each had 16 points.
The Cougars shot 29.2 percent from the field in the loss.
Augustana's defense slowed the pace for USF and held the Cougars to just 28 percent from the field in the first half.
The Vikings held a five-point lead five minutes into the contest—aided by six quick points from Hayes to start the game. The junior was dominant in the first half, scoring 11 points before the break.
Kristi Board had an easy bucket to put the Vikings up 29-19 and gave Augustana their first double-digit lead of the game at the 4:31 mark.
A layup by
Tessa Wilka and a pair of free throws by
Teri VerSteeg gave Augustana a comfortable 33-21 advantage to close the first half.
Augustana opened the second half with a five-point run behind the lead of Board and Doyle, who scored seven of the half's first nine points.
Just over midway through the second half, Feeney drained a 3-pointer to put the Vikings ahead by 20.
The Augustana lead would eventually max out at 21 when
Lydia Nelson hit a jumper to bring the score to 59-38 with 5:16 left in the game.
USF cut the margin to 17 points to close the contest.
Augustana out rebounded USF 46-31, including grabbing 13 offensive boards
The Vikings got good production inside, scoring 26 points in the paint.
Jamey Hofer's 14 points paced the Cougars.
Augustana returns to action at home on Saturday with a 3 p.m. meeting with Gustavus.
