BOX SCORE

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The Augustana women's basketball team came up short in its Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference opener against No. 12 Wayne State, falling 71-57 on Monday night at the Sioux Falls Arena. The Vikings' record slipped to 4-1 (0-1 NSIC) with the loss, while the Wildcats remained perfect at 5-0 (1-0 NSIC) on the season.

Two-time NSIC South Division Player of the Week Shaunteva Ashley had a team-high 15 points in the loss. Ashley also tied her season high with eight rebounds for Augustana. The senior had trouble finding her shot against the WSC zone defense, shooting a season-low 5 for 21 (23.8 percent) in the game.

Paige Peterson gave the Vikings a nice option on the block, continuing to show her ability to score on the inside, putting in a career-high 12 points. Peterson also tied her season high in boards with six.

Logan O'Farrell chipped in with eight points and four assists for Augustana.

Jordan Spencer carried Wayne State with her 23-point, 14-rebound performance. Spencer gave the Vikings fits with her ability to take advantage of her quick first step and get into the paint and do damage. The Omaha, Neb. native also added five assists in the win.

Millie Niggeling chipped in with 18 points and six rebounds for the Wildcats.

WSC was able to use their zone defense to hold the Vikings to a season-low 31.1 percent (23 of 74) shooting night from the field.
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Augustana's struggles with finding an opening in the zone and penetrate also resulted in a season-low nine free throws attempted in the game.

Wayne State got off to a hot start in the contest, nailing its first four shots as it took a 12-11 lead into the under-15 media timeout. Spencer was able to get to the basket early, scoring seven of her 23 points within the first five minutes.

Both teams continued trading baskets with the Vikings going into the under-10 media timeout down two to the Wildcats. Ashley was able to get her offense going during the stretch getting a couple of mid-range jumpers to fall.

A 3-pointer by Allie Koehn gave Augustana a 20-19 lead with 9:16 remaining in the first half. It was the redshirt freshman's first score of the ballgame.

WSC's zone kept the Vikings frustrated into getting into the lane, holding them to six points in the final nine minutes of the half to take a 31-26 lead into the break.

Augustana struggled to generate any rhythm on the offensive side in the first 20 minutes, being held to 25.6 percent (10 for 39) in the half.

In the second half, the Vikings were able to get their offense going, using a 13-2 run that cut the Wayne State lead to one at 48-47 after a made layup by Naomi Rust with 8:49 remaining in the game.

The Wildcats responded with a 19-7 run of their own over the next 6:35 to push their lead to 13 at 67-54 with just under two minutes left. Maggie Schulte powered the run with eight of her 13 points in the game coming during the stretch.

Augustana wouldn't get it under double digits in the final two minutes, losing 71-57.

Always a silver lining

Peterson's ability to provide a scoring presence in the post has been a nice surprise for the Vikings this early into the year. The freshman held her own against a good Wayne State team and was able to get good scoring chances by using her speed and quickness to get by the Wildcat defenders down low.

Closer than you think

This game was much closer than the 14-point final margin indicated. Augustana was able to get some good looks at times and just failed to connect on them during key stretches of the game. Expect a highly-contested meeting when the two teams meet up again in Wayne, Neb. on Dec. 20.

Up next

The Vikings head north to Alaska for the North Star Invitational from Nov. 27-29 to play three games in three days.