BOX SCORE

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The Augustana women's basketball team put together its most complete Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference game this season on Saturday in a 87-65 victory over Upper Iowa at the Sioux Falls Arena.

The Vikings jumped to 13-8 (7-7 NSIC) with the win, while the Peacocks dropped to 5-13 (3-11 NSIC) on the year.

The convincing victory gave Augustana its first set of back-to-back wins in 2015.

Logan O'Farrell was one of three players in double figures on the day, ending with 13 points. O'Farrell also had five rebounds, and a season-high seven assists. She made her presence felt on the defensive side of the floor as well, getting three blocks and four steals.

Shaunteva Ashley wrapped up the weekend sweep with one of her outings that has become the norm this season, finishing with 18 points, five rebounds, and four assists in 32 minutes of action.

Sophie Kenney was a force for the Vikings, scoring 17 points and recording three steals.

UIU had four players with double-digit point totals in the game, highlighted by NSIC leading-rebounder Lauren Buck picking up her 12th double-double with 12 points and a season-high 16 rebounds.

Lindsay Carroll added 12 points and four assists for Upper Iowa.

Augustana spotted the Peacocks a 5-0 lead before ripping off 11 straight points that was capped off by a basket by Paige Peterson with 15:39 to go in the opening half of play, giving the freshman forward her first points on the day.

An 8-2 run by UIU resulted in a tie game at 17-17 about midway through the first half. Upper Iowa was able to work its way back into the contest by getting into the paint and converting scoring chances around the rim.

The Vikings were able to create some separation with just under 10 minutes to go before half with a 9-0 run in a span of 1:26 that was triggered by L. O'Farrell's 3-pointer with 8:15 remaining until the half. For O'Farrell, the 3 upped her total to seven in the contest.

Solid ball movement and good shooting allowed for Augustana to continue to build its lead, pushing it to 17 at 38-21 after Allie Koehn hit a layup in the lane with 2:11 to go in the first half.

Upper Iowa was able to cut the deficit to 11 at 40-29 going into halftime.

The Vikings were able to use their defense to hold the Peacocks to 37.5 percent shooting (12 of 32), which included a 0-for-9 showing from the 3-point line.

In the opening minutes of the second half, Augustana put this game out of reach with a 15-3 run in the first four minutes that was capped off by Presley O'Farrell converting a three-point play from the foul line after a great setup pass from her sister Logan made it 55-32.

The Vikings' lead grew to 29 after Peterson hit a turnaround jumper for her sixth point of the afternoon to put the score at 67-38.

UIU never got closer than 15 points the rest of the way, eventually losing 87-65.

Moving in the right direction
Augustana's two wins this weekend really showed signs of a young team that continues to develop and improve as the year goes into the latter stages of the regular season. Today's win was the most complete conference win of the season so far with multiple players really turning in good games.

Up next
The Vikings make the long trip north for a pair of road games at Minot State and Mary next weekend.