BOX SCORE

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The Augustana women's basketball team couldn't overcome a late push by Northern State in the second half in a 76-64 loss on Saturday in at the Sanford Pentagon. The defeat eliminated the Vikings from the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference/Sanford Health Tournament.

Augustana's record slipped to 21-10 on the season, while the Wolves improved to 24-6 and advanced to the semifinals.

Shaunteava Ashley led the Vikings with a game-high 27 points. The recently named NSIC Player of the Year also added four rebounds, and four assists in 39 minutes. Ashley's 27 points moved her into second place on the all-time single-season scoring list with 653, just seven points off tying the record.

Nicole Kerkhoff added nine points and 12 rebounds for Augustana.

NSU was led by All-NSIC first-team selection Rachel Krogman, who recorded her 18th double-double of the season with a team-high 26 points and 13 rebounds.

Northern State's other big, Sadie Stotesbery, also chipped in with a double-double of her own with 14 points and 14 rebounds.

A strong start on the offensive glass in the opening minutes helped the Wolves jump out to a 12-9 lead going into the under-15 media timeout. NSU made it clear from the start its plan early was to attack the offensive boards and get lots of looks around the basket.

Northern State was able to build its lead to eight midway through the first half after Kara Hofschild's basket made it 21-13, giving the 5-foot-7 senior guard her first two points on the afternoon.

The Vikings would cut the Wolves' lead to three after Ashley made a free throw, converting the three-point play, with 4:15 left on the clock until halftime. For Ashley, the free throw upped her total to seven in the opening half.

Augustana got its first lead of the game after Ashley drained an elbow jumper on the break to make it 30-29 at the 2:02 mark.

The Vikings held their ground from there, going into halftime up 33-29.

Augustana's late first-half push was due to it being able to speed up the game and get NSU into play at an uncomfortable pace and become careless with the ball, which resulted in the Vikings closing out the half on a 20-8 run.

Neither team was able to find it's shooting rhythm in the first 20 minutes, with both teams finishing below 40 percent from the field.

Both teams traded baskets and went back and forth in the first five minutes of the second half while battling through some foul-plagued play. The Vikings were able to make it a fast-paced game, causing Northern State issues, that resulted in them fouling several times early on.

A 6-0 run by the Wolves in a 1:32 put them back up 46-44 with 11:06 left. NSU's run was powered by Krogman's play in the low post, scoring four of the six points.

Northern State made its move late and took control with a 23-14 run over a nine-minute stretch that pushed its lead to 10 - the first time in the game either team had a double-digit advantage - at 68-58 after a free throw Krogman.

The Vikings couldn't come any closer than seven points in the final 1:46, losing 76-64.

Stretch run no fun
The Wolves pulled away by being able to break the press of Augustana and get some easy layups in transition and make free throws down the stretch as the Vikings were forced to play the foul game to try and extend the contest.

If I'm going down, I'm going down swinging
If this was the last game the Ashley's remarkable career, she went down playing the kind of game Augustana players and fans have grown accustomed to seeing over these last few seasons. The Sioux Falls, S.D. native displayed her efficient, all-around game that has made her such a special player during her time under head coach Dave Krauth.

Up next
The Vikings will see if they are selected to play in the NCAA Central Region Tournament. Selection show is March 8 at 9 p.m. CT.