BOX SCORE

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Junior Nicole Kerkhoff went off for a career night in a 97-90 overtime victory for Augustana on Saturday against Minnesota Crookston at the Sioux Falls Arena. The Vikings improved to 8-4 (2-3 in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference) with the win, while the Golden Eagles dropped to 3-6 (2-3 NSIC) on the season.

Kerkhoff delivered in the clutch, which included hitting the game-tying layup with just three seconds left to force overtime and then erupting for 10 of her career-high 24 points in the extra period. The former Cedar Mountain star also pulled down 13 rebounds in the game, her second double-double this year, also a career best.

Shaunteva Ashley got back to her high-scoring ways, chipping in 24 points to go along with seven rebounds, and eight assists. Ashley's eight assists also moved her into ninth place in team history with 375.

Logan O'Farrell continued her stellar freshman campaign, scoring 14 points in a variety of ways. The redshirt freshman also added seven rebounds and a season-high six assists. O'Farrell also did it on the defensive side of the ball, blocking three shots and getting a steal.

UMC was led by 21 points from Emily Gruber. The freshman also grabbed seven boards in the loss.

Katrina Moenkedick added 14 points for Minnesota Crookston in 25 minutes.

Augustana's 27 assists tied a season high set back on Nov. 15 against Presentation.

The Vikings got some separation about midway through first half after an Allie Koehn 3-pointer from the corner triggered a 13-4 run over a 3:27 span to push their lead to 14, the largest of the half, at 34-20. It was the Brandon, S.D. native's lone bucket in the first half, but a key one in the opening half.

The Golden Eagles climbed their way back into the game late in the first half with an 18-9 run of their own over the final 4:45 to cut the Augustana lead to five at 43-38 going into halftime.

Sophie Kenney finished up her impressive all-around half with five points, five rebounds, and five assists.

Ashley had a game-high 13 points in the first 20 minutes while boasting an impressive 85.7 shooting percentage (six of seven).

The Vikings really showcased good ball movement in the opening half, resulting in 13 assists on their 19 made baskets.

An 8-3 run in favor of Augustana to open the first two minutes of the second half pushed the lead back into double digits after a 3-pointer by Ashley, her 16th point of the game.

UMC found its composure and made it a two-point contest after a pair of made free throws by Megan Taylor capped off a big 12-2 run with 13:33 to go in the second half.

Both teams traded baskets with each other for the majority of the remaining minutes.

Minnesota Crookston got the game to within three points after a layup from Kenzie Church made it 80-77 with just over three minutes left in regulation. It was Church's fifth point of the afternoon.

The Golden Eagles finally got their first lead since 17:31 left in the first half after a 3-pointer by Livingston made it 82-80 with two minutes left and closed out an 11-2 run.

Things got interesting in the final 10 seconds, with UMC missing its shot to put the game away and Augustana grabbing the board and going up the court in just a few seconds and scoring on Kerkhoff's layup off a beautiful pass from Ashley with three seconds remaining.

In overtime, Kerkhoff took over the game, scoring six of the Vikings first nine points to start the period, all coming in the paint. The Morgan, Minn. native finished with 10 points in the extra period, upping her total to 24, a new career high as Augustana won 97-90.

Complete team effort
The Vikings got a great performances from multiple players with Ashley, Kerkhoff, Kenney and O'Farrell leading the way. In the last few games, Augustana has really seen some development in key young players, adding to what they can do offensively when teams try and guard them a certain way.

Up next
The Vikings close out the 2014 portion of their schedule with a meeting against No. 7 Wayne State on Dec. 20 at 4 p.m. in Wayne, Neb.