SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – After fighting off hot first half shooting from the Wildcats and nearly completing the double-digit comeback, Augustana women's basketball fell short 72-68 against Wayne State on Saturday afternoon.
 
The loss moves the Vikings to 4-18 so far this season and 2-14 in conference play while the Wildcats improve to 10-10 and 7-9.
 
Four Vikings finished in double figures, led by Hannah Burg's 13 points and six steals. Payton Hardy dropped in 12 points, Olivia Hayenga scored 11 to go with her seven rebounds and Brinlee McRae added in 10 points and seven rebounds.
 
AU out-rebounded its opponent 36 to 25 and forced 19 WSC turnovers.
 
The Wildcats erupted to start the first quarter, fighting off strong shooting from Hayenga and Sanneh by draining nine 3-pointers through the first 10 minutes. The visitors ended with five straight points to take the 32-11 lead.
 
McRae came off the bench and drilled a pair of triples while Sanneh's layup and a pair of free throws made it a 37-21 game. After a near two-minute scoring drought, the Vikings went on a 9-3 scoring run to cut the difference to 13. WSC would score five more points to take the 48-32 lead at the halftime break.
 
Augustana opened up the second half with six unanswered points and, soon again, another five straight points. Burg hit a triple to make it a 52-43 game with 5:05 remaining and CJ Adamson made it a six-point game nearly two minutes later. Following a gritty and-one from Paige Grant, it stood as a 59-53 score and the visitors scored another four points to end the third quarter at 63-53.
 
It was an all-out battle to start the fourth quarter, as the Vikings turned up the energy but didn't score until 6:40 remaining off a tip-in from Hardy. That triggered a 6-0 run over the next 1:42 from Hardy and Hayenga. The Wildcats pushed back for the 67-59 advantage and despite key steals from Burg, Augustana would fall 72-68.
 
UP NEXT
Augustana will take on Winona State on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. in Winona before hosting Minnesota Duluth at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday.