BOX SCORE

WAYNE, Neb. – The Augustana women's basketball team closed the 2014 portion of its season in a big way, knocking off No. 15 Wayne State 68-60 in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play on Saturday. The Vikings' record jumped to 9-4 (3-3 NSIC) with the win, while the Wildcats fell to 9-3 (3-3 NSIC) on season.

Augustana snapped a three-game losing streak against WSC with the victory that dated back to last year, and got the season split this year in the process.

The Vikings also picked up their first win against a top-25 team this year.

Shaunteva Ashley came up huge for her young teammates in the contest, scoring a game-high 28 points to go along with six rebounds, four assists, and four steals. Ashley finished the game 11 for 15, which included draining a season-high five 3s from beyond the arc.

Nicole Kerkhoff was a factor down low on the block, chipping in with 14 points and grabbing five rebounds.

Sophie Kenney added five points, seven assists, and four steals in the win.

Ashton Yossi led Wayne State with 16 points, including hitting a team-high four 3s.

Maggie Schulte scored 11 points.

The Wildcats' Jordan Spencer was held in check by some great Augustana defense, ending her night with 11 points and eight rebounds, her lowest scoring output since an eight-point showing at Minnesota State a few weeks ago.

The Vikings' defense was stellar during the contest, holding WSC to 35.7 percent shooting from the field, while also forcing 21 turnovers.

Augustana got the start it was looking for in this one, using a 10-0 run to open the game. The run was powered by some very aggressive full-court pressure that caused the Wildcats problems early and forced them into several turnovers. Kerkhoff led the Viking early attack with six quick points in the opening minutes.

Wayne State regrouped coming out of a timeout, using its own 16-6 run to tie the game up at 16 all after a made 3-pointer by Yossi, her second of game, with 9:54 left in the opening half.

Both teams continued to trade baskets late in the half before the Vikings were able pull ahead and take a 35-34 lead into halftime.

Augustana was able to find its shot against the tough 2-3 matchup zone of the Wildcats, finishing the opening 20 minutes shooting 53.3 percent (16-30) while limiting WSC to 42.3 percent shooting.

Yossi's four 3s kept Wayne State in the game, part of her 14-point first-half performance.

Ashley keyed the Viking attack on the offensive side, scoring 11 points and grabbing four rebounds.

Augustana was able to penetrate the Wildcat defense with its dribble-drive offense, getting 18 points in the paint in the half.

In the second half, The Vikings got off to another strong start, extending their lead to 10 after a jumper by Allie Koehn made it 47-37 with 14:55 remaining. It was the redshirt freshman's only basket of the night.

Again, WSC fought its way back into the game after a basket by Schulte made it a one-point contest in favor of Augustana at 50-49 with 9:37 to go.

The Vikings though, refused to let this one get away, making its move after a 3-pointer by Ashley with 8:35 remaining sparked an 8-0 run that pushed their lead to nine with just under five minutes remaining.

Augustana's defense, which had been stout all night, locked down Wayne State's offense the rest of the way, never letting them get any closer than five points for the remainder of the game, going on to win 68-60.

Defense, defense, and more defense
The young Vikings turned in their best defensive performance of the year so far, forcing the Wildcats into tough, contested shots and key turnovers all game. Augustana was also able to take advantage of the turnovers it forced, resulting in 27 points off turnovers.

Up next
Augustana returns to action on Jan. 2, 2015 with a NSIC meeting with crosstown rival Sioux Falls at the Stewart Center. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m.