SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- The Augustana women's basketball team fell short in its Sanford Pentagon opener against Sioux Falls, falling 73-60 to the Cougars on Thursday night.

Augustana (3-2, 0-2) had a slow start to the game, getting behind by as much as 12 points with 2:49 remaining in the first quarter. Sioux Falls (4-3, 1-1) caused a detrimental 11 turnovers in the first quarter, becoming a deciding factor in the game.

Back-to-back triples from Lauren Sees started to chip away at the early deficit the Vikings faced with 1:16 to go in the first, down by eight.

An 11-2 run by the Vikings cut the Cougars' lead down to five after an old-fashioned 3-point play by Johanna Miller just after the media timeout. 

Vishe' Rabb would force Sioux Falls head coach Travis Traphagen to take a timeout scoring five points in a matter of five seconds. First she knocked down a triple in the corner then stole the inbound pass and took it to the hole to put Augustana within striking distance, 30-28, in favor of Sioux Falls.

Sioux Falls went on a run of its own to end the half with the lead, 38-30.

The Cougars came out of halftime with intention, shooting 66.7 percent from the field to hold a 13-point lead heading into the media timeout up 52-39.

After two made free throws from Sioux Falls, Augustana would go on a six-point run with back-to-back steals turning into points. First by Sees, then Rabb on the next possession. A basket in transition from Aby Phipps caused a Cougar timeout at 54-45 with 2:10 remaining in the third quarter.

The Cougars opened up in the fourth quarter, gaining their largest lead of the game at the 2:08 mark at 73-55, ultimately taking the game, 73-60.

The Vikings were led by Sees with 20 points and Aislinn Duffy with 10 rebounds.

Along with Duffy's 10 rebounds, she accumulated 10 points to earn a double-double.

The Cougars were led by Dallie Hoskinson with 20 points and eight rebounds.

Up Next

Augustana's week is not done yet as the Vikings will head to Marshall, Minnesota, to face SMSU on Saturday. Tipoff is slated for 5:30 p.m.

--GoAugie.com--