BOX SCORE BOX SCORE
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – 14th-ranked Augustana women's basketball opened up the 2013-14 season on Saturday with a 95-79 win over Jamestown. The win gave the Vikings a 1-0 record on the season – 16-0 in home openers all-time under head coach
Dave Krauth – and dropped the Jimmies to 6-2 on the year.
2013-14 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Preseason Player to Watch
Emily Schulte lived up to the preseason accolades and then some, scoring a career-high 22 points for Augustana, and was a terror on the defensive side of the ball with five steals.
"I think that everyone just goes out there and plays, I know I never really think about all that kind of stuff. I'm just someone has gone and just played my game" Schulte said when being asked if tonight's all-round performance by her (22 points, five rebounds, five assists, and five steals) was something she envisioned before the game of having to do with so many new faces on this year's team.
"My shot was just falling for me, and I was able to get my hands on a couple of (Jamestown) passes, but so did a lot of my teammates. I think we are beginning to get a good feel for each other after all these practices, and it paid off tonight for us."
The Vikings, using an up-tempo pace, jumped out to an early 13-7 lead in the first four minutes of the game.
Jamestown would claw its way back into the contest with a 14-8 run of its own, tying this game at 21-21 apiece halfway through the first half. The Jimmies would be able to build their lead to six points and hold onto it for most of the remaining time left in the first half, until the Vikings were able to retake the lead on a
Alex Kneeland three pointer, giving Augustana a 40-37 lead.
Jamestown would tie up the game at 40-40 right before halftime, on a layup made by Megan Pold with 10 seconds remaining.
The Jimmies shot the ball extremely well in the first half, mainly due to their ability to get into the paint for easy buckets. Jamestown was 15-26 (57.7%) from the field in the half, while getting 22 points in the paint compared the Augustana's 12.
Augustana was led by
Rhianna Gullickson in the first half, who scored 13 points – surpassing her career high of six. Schulte recorded 11 points and five rebounds in the half.
In the second half, the Vikings came out aggressive and were able to force two quick turnovers and use a 13-6 run in the first three minutes of the half to put momentum in their favor.
Augustana made its move with 12 minutes remaining in the half when
Katie Meister had a putback layup to give the Vikings a 61-54 lead, triggering an 11-2 run that saw Augustana's pressure defense cause multiple turnovers for Jamestown.
The Vikings were able to pretty much cruise from there, never seeing their lead drop below double digits for the remainder of the game.
Augustana's defense limited the Jimmies to just 31.3% shooting from the field in the second half, while forcing 11 turnovers.
For the Vikings, they have now gone 21-4 in season openers under Krauth. Gullickson finished with 15 points and six rebounds.
Shaunteva Ashley recorded 16 points on only five shots attempted. Ashley was able to get the line though, going a perfect 10 of 10.
Riley Nordgaard also contributed with 12 points and seven rebounds.
Augustana will hit the hardwood again on Tuesday, facing off with William Penn at 7 p.m. in the Elmen Center.
--- GoAugie.com ---
