BOX SCORE

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – A 16-point first-half lead proved to be not enough as the Augustana women's basketball team fell 74-71 to Minnesota State in a highly-entertaining contest on Saturday at the Sioux Falls Arena. The loss dropped the Vikings to 10-7 (4-6 NSIC) on the season, while the Mavericks' record jumped to 10-4 (7-2 NSIC).

Shaunteva Ashley poured in a game-high 26 points on the day, with 19 coming in the second half. Ashley also had five rebounds, and a career-high five steals. The Sioux Falls, S.D. native's 26 gave her 10 games this season with at least 20 points.

Nicole Kerkhoff added 18 points and seven rebounds. The junior was solid as usual in the post, going 7 of 13 on the day.

Augustana's full-court defense caused MSU problems all throughout the game, forcing Minnesota State into a season-high 25 turnovers.

Lexie Ulfers led the Mavericks with 18 points on 8-of-12 shooting. She also had eight rebounds in her 28 minutes on Saturday.

Sammie Delzotto chipped in with 14 points and four assists.

Both teams battled early on with the Mavericks getting inside the paint and establishing Ulfers in the post, resulting in five quick points for the senior. The Vikings meanwhile spread it around the perimeter looking for open looks.

Augustana was able to push their lead to six at 22-16 a little over midway through the first half with a quick 9-0 run in 1:16 that was the result of a tough pressing defense that caused MSU problems the entire half.

That same, swarming defense allowed for the Vikings to continue build their lead to as much to 16 after a 3-pointer from the left wing by Ashley at the 3:09 mark made it 34-18. It was the lone made 3-pointer of the half for Augustana that came as part of a huge 21-2 run.

Minnesota State fought its way back into the game late in the half, using a 11-2 run of its own to go into the half trailing only by seven at 36-29.

Kerkhoff came up big for the Vikings in the first half, scoring 11 points.

Augustana's ability to force the Mavericks into turnovers with its pressing defense and getting points in the paint pretty easily were the two big factors in the first half. The Vikings forced MSU into 15 turnovers in the opening 20 minutes and had 20 points in the paint.

Britney Scherber and Ulfers each finished the first half with seven points.

In the second half, Ulfers started fast again, scoring five of MSU's first nine points as Minnesota State was able to cut the Augustana lead to three going into the under-15 media timeout.

The Mavericks regained the lead for the first time since 9:30 left in the first half after Ashley Olson's 3-pointer put them up 52-49 with 14:07 left in the game. The make was Olson's first of the contest.

MSU continued to use hot shooting to extend its lead to seven at 64-57 going into the under-10 media timeout. Minnesota State opened the second half going 12 of 17 (70.6 percent) from the field, which included a 4-for-5 start from behind the arc.

Not to be outdone, the Vikings hit the Mavericks with their own 7-0 run that was capped off by Logan O'Farrell's two free throws to tie the contest up at 64 all with 6:58 left.

Augustana had chances late to tie up the game after Minnesota State got ahead by four with three minutes left, but failed to connect on free throw chances and scoring opportunities late as the Mavericks hung on to take the victory at 74-71.

Close out strong
The Vikings showed a lot to like in this big matchup for such a young team, but one part they have to continue to improve on is closing out halves late.

Up next
Augustana takes to the road for two games this upcoming weekend. First up, the Vikings meet up with St. Cloud State on Friday at 6 p.m. The road trips comes to a close on Saturday with a game against Minnesota Duluth. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m.