WAYNE, Neb. — After erasing a 16-point second-half deficit, the Vikings dropped a heartbreaker, 78-76, in double overtime at unbeaten Wayne State on Tuesday night at Rice Auditorium.

The Vikings (2-3, 0-1 NSIC) shot 42.2% from the field and owned advantages in the paint (34-26) and second-chance points (24-11), yet 29 turnovers proved costly as Wayne State (5-0, 1-0) turned those miscues into a 30-10 edge in points off turnovers.

Isabella Sanneh paced Augustana with 19 points and a career-high 18 rebounds in 42 minutes. Payton Hardy posted a double-double of her own with 15 points and 13 boards while Maliyah Elliott finished with 14 points on a pair of 3-pointers and eight assists. Miranda Lomax chipped in key late baskets, including a layup in the closing second of the second overtime to pull the Vikings within two.

Augustana trailed most of regulation. The Vikings stayed within a point after the first quarter, but Wayne State used an 18-9 run in the second to take a 32-22 lead into halftime. The Wildcats pushed the margin to double digits behind timely 3-point shooting and a steady night at the free-throw line.

Wayne State extended the lead to 16 midway through the third, capitalizing on transition chances created by turnovers. Augustana answered with a surge to close the quarter, using Hardy's work on the glass and Sanneh's inside finishes to cut the deficit to 51-42 entering the fourth.

The Vikings' comeback took shape in the final period. After chipping away most of the frame, Elliott buried a 3-pointer with 2:07 left to tie the game at 55-all, and Augustana briefly moved in front at the stripe. But Wayne State answered late with free throws to send the game to overtime tied 58-58.

In the first extra session, Augustana looked poised to finish the rally. Hardy drilled a second-chance 3-pointer with 3:28 remaining to give the Vikings a five-point cushion, and Elliott added a driving basket to keep Augustana in front. Wayne State closed the gap with a 3 off a turnover in the final minute, then forced a stop to push the game to a second overtime knotted at 65-65.

The second overtime was decided at the line. Wayne State went 13-of-16 on free throws across the two overtimes and held off Augustana's final push. The Vikings had a chance for another tie in the last seconds, but could not convert.

Augustana continues action next Tuesday, hosting North Central at 5 p.m., on December 2.