SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Despite a career-high performance from Payton Hardy, Augustana women's basketball fell on Saturday afternoon to #16 Minnesota State, 96-70, inside the Sanford Pentagon.
 
The Vikings drop to 1-7 overall and 0-3 in conference play while the Mavericks improve to 7-2 overall with a perfect 3-0 NSIC record.
 
Hardy led the way in scoring for AU with her career best 17 points off 8-of-10 shooting from the field alongside five rebounds, two steals and a block. Olivia Hayenga joined with 12 points and a team-high eight rebounds as Brinlee McRae added in 10 points, including two 3-pointers, and Hannah Burg dished out six assists with three steals.
 
Augustana shot 44.1% from the field with 34 rebounds and 19 assists while forcing 19 turnovers for the Mavericks.
 
The Vikings hit first to start the game and eventually took an 8-4 lead off a layup from CJ Adamson. Minnesota State stormed back with a 9-2 run and immediately followed that up with 10 straight points. Hardy broke the stalemate for AU with her tip in, but the visitors would take the 25-14 lead at the quarter break.
 
Augustana then went on to shoot 52.6% from the floor in the second quarter, holding the Mavericks to just 21.7% shooting, as Hardy hit a jumper and McRae nailed a 3-pointer to open action. The Vikings then scored seven straight to bring the game with one. A back-and-forth battle ensued and McRae's layup tied it at 34. A Maverick tip in regained control but McRae hit another triple with 33 seconds remaining to take the 37-36 lead into the locker room.
 
Despite the fight from the Vikings, Minnesota State came out of halftime and immediately lit it up on the floor. A 15-2 run flipped the momentum in favor of the visitors as the Mavericks scored 32 points in the third quarter alone. Kaz Parks, Hayenga, McRae and Hardy would all hit shots but Minnesota State would go up 68-46 at the end of the third.
 
The Mavericks continued to push, responding to any basket the Vikings made in an attempt to close the difference, eventually taking the game, 96-70.
 
Up Next
Augustana will face its first two conference road contests of the season with games against Minnesota Duluth on Friday and Concordia-St. Paul on Saturday. Tip offs are set for 5:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., respectively.