WINONA, Minn. -- The Augustana women's basketball team, despite leading for over three quarters, had to battle Winona State in overtime to get the win on Friday night, 81-79.
Augustana, who improves to 4-3 overall and 3-2 in the NSIC, found itself down three points with 23 seconds left in the game when Augustana head coach Dave Krauth took a timeout to advance the ball to midcourt and draw up a play to tie the game.
The play worked as the Vikings got a look in the paint but just missed, however, sophomore Lauren Sees secured an offensive rebound and kicked to Izzy Van Veldhuizen beyond the arc, where she would find the back of the net to tie the game with just seven seconds left in the fourth quarter.
Although Van Veldhuizen had seven points before the basket, this was her first made field-goal of the contest. She would end up as one of five Vikings in double-figure scoring with 12 points.
On the ensuing Winona State possession, Emily Kieck missed a layup sending the game to overtime.
The Warriors (0-4, 0-4 NSIC) drew first in the extra period, hitting a 3-pointer just 13 seconds in. But a 7-0 Augustana run gave the Vikings a four-point advantage with just over two minutes to play.
Winona State, who made one comeback already in the game, mounted another one and knotted the game at 75-all with 1:21 remaining in overtime.
Vishe' Rabb answered a Warrior turnover with a jumper in the paint to give the Vikings the lead back at 77-75.
Free throws made down the stretch from sophomore Aislinn Duffy and Senior Hannah Mitby shut the lid on the Warriors' last comeback attempt leading to the 81-79 victory.
Sees led all scorers with 22 points, while Duffy added 13, Mitby tallied 12 and Rabb totaled 10 points to make it five Vikings in double-digit scoring. Duffy and Mitby each recorded a double-double with each of them securing 10 rebounds. Duffy nearly had a triple-double as she dished a career-high seven assists.
The Warriors were led by Sydney Lodermeier with 16 points and seven rebounds.
The two squads will meet again tomorrow for the second game at 2 p.m. in Winona.
--GoAugie.com--
