SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - The Augustana Vikings lost 63-50 to the Dakota Wesleyan Tigers on Saturday afternoon at the Elmen Center. 

The loss moves the Vikings to 1-2 overall, while the contest was an exhibition for DWU. 

AU had three in double-figure scoring, led by 13 Michaela Jewett points. She also grabbed six rebounds, dished four assists, and swatted three shots. Johanna Miller scored 12 points on 6 of 9 shooting, and Jennifer Aadland scored 10 points while adding four rebounds, two steals, and two blocks. Aby Phipps led the team with seven rebounds, while Kenzie Rensch collected a team-high four steals. 

Aadland opened the scoring with a pair of layups before a Sees pump fake and drive put the Vikings ahead 6-0 through three minutes of play. That lead grew to 10-2 following a Rensch steal and Phipps jumper, but DWU closed the first quarter on a 12-4 run to even the game at 14-14 into the second.

The second quarter saw three ties in a fairly balanced 10 minutes, but the Tigers grew a 31-27 lead with 3:57 to play in the half. After over two and a half minutes of scoreless action, Phipps knocked down a three pointer to cut the deficit to just one, but a DWU offensive rebound and layup on the next possession handed them a 33-30 lead into the half. 

After a Jewett jumper and Aadland layup brought the Vikings within 36-34, the Tigers exploded, going on a 17-5 run to close the quarter and take a 53-39 lead into the fourth. The Vikings battled in the fourth, getting within single digits at 55-46 with 6:02 to play, but an 8-2 DWU run before an AU layup that closed the scoring was enough to separate. 

In a schedule change, the Vikings play at Concordia-St. Paul on Saturday at 2 p.m. and at Minnesota Duluth on Sunday at 4 p.m. For more on the schedule change, click here.