BOX SCORE

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – A one-point game in the first half turned into a rout in a 84-58 win for the Augustana women's basketball team on Friday night in a Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference game against Southwest Minnesota State. The Vikings improved to 17-9 (11-8 NSIC) with the victory, while the Mustangs fell to 3-20 (3-16 NSIC) on the year.

A 22-2 run to open the second half was key in the runaway win for Augustana, who went into the half only up one against SMSU.

With the victory, the Vikings got the season split in the series, avenging a 77-71 loss in Marshall, Minn. back on Jan. 3.

The Augustana press was something to behold in the second half, forcing Southwest Minnesota State into 22 turnovers, part of a season-high 34 in the game.

Shaunteva Ashley led the Vikings with a game-high 15 points. Ashley was one of five players in double figures in the contest for Augustana. The senior also finished with nine assists, five rebounds, and five steals in 35 minutes.

Nicole Kerkhoff snapped a three-game single-digit scoring streak with her 12 points on 6-of-12 shooting. Kerkhoff also pulled down eight rebounds.

Paige Peterson added 11 points and five rebounds for the Vikings.

The Mustangs were led by Paige Hendrickson's nine points.

SMSU was held without a double-digit scorer for the first time since a loss at Winona State on Jan. 10.

Southwest Minnesota State finished the game shooting 42.6 percent (20 of 47) while Augustana ended at 40 (32 of 80).

The Mustangs came out establishing control early, taking a 17-9 lead following a made free throw from Hope Bonlander at the 11:03 mark in the first half.

A 3-pointer by Sydney Rome sparked a 14-6 run for the Vikings that got the score tied up at 23-23 with just over five minutes remaining until halftime. It was Rome's second 3 in the opening 20 minutes.

Augustana took a one-point lead into the half after Kerkhoff's layup with five seconds remaining made it 34-33 and gave the junior eight in the half.

The Vikings used some swarming defense in the first half, forcing SMSU into 12 first-half turnovers which resulted in 13 points off turnovers.

Southwest Minnesota State, when not struggling with Augustana's pressing defense, was able to stick around with some great shooting, finishing at 52 percent in the half.

The Vikings blew this one open in the second half with a 22-2 run in the first seven minutes to push its lead to 21 after a pair of made free throws by Ashley, giving her nine points on the night.

Relentless pressure in the press continued to cause the Mustangs problems, resulting in Augustana getting turnovers and easy points in transition the rest of the way en route to the big win.

A tale of two halves
The combination of some really good shooting by the Mustangs and sloppy defense by the Vikings resulted in the one-point game going into the half. Augustana though went into the locker room, made adjustments, and just came out and rolled over SMSU in the second half.

Up next
The Vikings meets up with Sioux Falls on Saturday to close out the four-game homestand. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m. at the Sioux Falls Arena. The game is part of the First Dakota National Bank Mayor's Cup Challenge between the two schools. For more information visit sfmayorscup.com.