SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - In a game that saw both teams shoot just under 45 percent from the field, the Augustana women's basketball team (21-6, 15-6 NSIC) was able to outlast the Peacock's in a game of wills, 77-67 to earn the victory Friday night.

In the first two quarters of action neither team was able to establish a solid lead as each team shot over 48 percent for the half. Upper Iowa (5-22, 4-17 NSIC) opened the game scoring eight of the first five points but Augustana would grab a two point lead off a Logan O'Farrell layup. The Vikings would grow their lead to nine on a 14-5 run that spanned the course of six minutes. The Peacock's used a minor 22-17 run of their own over the final seven minutes of the first half to cut the Vikings lead to four going into the break.

The second half was much like the first as neither team was able to pull away. Upper Iowa outscored the Vikings 14-12 in the third quarter but Vikings never relinquished control of the lead. It wasn't until late in the fourth quarter that Augustana was able to score points in bunches. With a narrow lead at 62-60 the Vikings scored nine of the next 13 points to grab an eight point lead, their largest since the 6:18 mark of the second quarter when they led by nine. Late in the game the Vikings were able to knock down their free-throws, 5-of-6 on the final minute, to close out the Upper Iowa and earn their 21st win of the season.

VIKINGS OF NOTE
Sydney Rome led the way offensively for the Vikings Friday with 18-points on 6-of-12 shooting. Half of Rome's point total came from behind the three-point arc. Rome was also able to find her teammates with success as she added three assists. Rome got it done on the glass as well grabbing five rebounds, her most in a game since Jan. 8. This was Rome's fifth double-digit performance in her last seven games.

Presley O'Farrell scored 10 big points off the Augustana bench on 3-of-4 shooting. Presley was perfect from behind the arc as well as from the charity stripe. Presley also had two assists and an offensive board.

VIKING QUICK HITS
• The Vikings shot 44 percent from the field and 73 percent from the free throw line
• Rome's 18-points were her most since she tied a career-high 20 back on Jan. 30
• Four different Vikings scored in double-figures: Rome (18), Nicole Kerkhoff (15), Logan (11) and Presley (10)
• Augustana had 16 offensive and 16 defensive rebounds
• The the win the Vikings improved to 17-0 all-time against Upper Iowa
• The Viking have now won four-straight games, their longest streak this season since they won five in a row from Nov. 25 to Dec. 11
• In both meetings vs. Upper Iowa this season a Viking has scored 18-points, Sophie Kenney scored 18 in the first meeting

UP NEXT
The Vikings will close out the 2015-16 regular season tomorrow night as they host No. 10 Winona State on senior night. Tip-off against the warriors is set for 4 p.m.