SIOUX FALLS. S.D. – Augustana University women's basketball shot just 29 percent from the field in a 67-59 loss to the University of Sioux Falls on Saturday afternoon at the Sioux Falls Arena. The Vikings (10-3, 4-3 NSIC) cut into a double-digit deficit in the fourth quarter but were unable to regain the lead as the Cougars (12-1, 6-1 NSIC) were able to hang on for the win.
 
Augustana had three players reach double-digits in points, led by Paige Peterson's team-high 14 points. Sydney Rome and Shelby Selland each pitched in with 12 points. The Vikings were just 20 of 67 (29.9 percent) from the field, including 4 of 25 (16 percent) from behind the arc.
 
USF struggled from the field as well, finishing just 36.4 percent (24 of 66) from the field, while hitting 6 of 19 (31.6 percent) from behind the arc. Taylor Varsho led all players with 18 points in the contest.
 
Both teams dug in defensively early in the contest as the Vikings and Cougars combined to shoot just 2 for 16 from the field through the first five minutes of the quarter. The Vikings held a 4-1 lead at the media timeout with 4:53 remaining in the first quarter.
 
Paige Peterson came off the bench and helped the Vikings build a four-point lead scoring six of Augustana's next nine points but the Cougars ended the quarter with two straight 3-pointers to tie the game at 11-11 heading into the first quarter break.
 
USF went on a 7-4 run early in the second quarter to grab its first lead of the game and built the lead to four at 16-12 after a 3-pointer by Alison Klostergaard. Selland answered for the Vikings scoring six straight points, knocking down a 3-pointer and converting a 3-point-play to tie the game at 18-18 with 7:42 remaining in the second quarter.
 
USF ended the half on a 14-6 run over the final 6:24 to build an eight-point halftime lead of 32-24. The Vikings finished the half shooting just 23.5 percent (8 of 34) from the field, including 3 of 11 from 3-point range.
 
After an 0 for 8 start, USF finished the half shooting nearly 40 percent (13 of 33), hitting 3 of 11 from behind the arc.
 
Selland and Peterson led the Vikings with six points each in the first half. Alison Klostergaard led USF with seven points.
 
The Cougars opened the second half on an 8-2 run over the first four minutes of the quarter to build a 40-26 lead. Peterson stopped USF's run with a transition jumper and she went on to score eight of Augustana's next 10 points to bring the Vikings within eight at 44-36 with 1:38 left in the third.
 
USF carried a double-digit lead into the fourth quarter but the Vikings would not go away quietly, using a 12-3 run over a nearly four-minute stretch cutting USF's lead down to one at 51-50 with 4:58 to play.
 
The Cougars scored 11 of the game's next 13 points to kill Augustana's momentum and bring their lead back up to 10 at 62-52 and the Vikings were unable to make the comeback as USF was able to close the game out with a late 3-pointer by Varsho and five 3-pointers over the final 1:06.
 
Augustana returns to action Saturday afternoon hosting Southwest Minnesota State at 3 p.m. at the Sioux Falls Arena.