SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AUGIE) — The Augustana women’s basketball team defeated the Mustangs of Southwest Minnesota State, 88-56, in the Sanford Pentagon Thursday. AU extends its record to 23-4 while standing at 17-4 in the NSIC. SMSU moves to a 16-10 overall record while sitting at 13-10 in the loop. 

Aislinn Duffy recorded her 22nd double-double of her career and 10th of this season with 10 points and 10 rebounds in tonight’s contest. 

To open play, both squads traded back-and-forth baskets until the 6:58 mark of the first quarter. Augustana broke a tie at eight with a 7-0 run highlighted by a catch-and-shoot 3-pointer from Michaela Jewett. SMSU would knock down one 3-pointer until the Vikings continued their lead with a 8-0 run to end the first 10 minutes of play, 21-11. 

Augustana rolled into the second quarter with momentum from the first. The Vikings opened the period with a 9-1 run. SMSU found urgency in its offense, taking three trips to the charity stripe. Augustana found an 8-0 run in the final three minutes of the first half which included two trips to the free throw line for Jewett and Aislinn Duffy. 

At the half, AU led SMSU 49-24. Leading all scorers was Jewett with 12 points. Duffy led the squad in rebounds with seven while adding on two assists. The Vikings shot 20-of-32 (.625) in the first half while holding off the Mustangs to a 23.3 percent shooting percentage. 

SMSU returned to the second half with a vengeance. Connecting on two back-to-back layups, the Mustangs found an early 8-2 run early. Augustana found its footing around the 6:37 mark of the period with a layup from Aby Phipps to spark the momentum. From the 4:28 mark of the period Phipps and Lauren Sees gained momentum on the offensive side. Sees recorded two 3-pointers within one minute while Phipps connected on two layups and a trip to the charity stripe. 

The Vikings cruised through the fourth quarter outscoring SMSU 16-7 to extend the win 88-56. 

Overall, Augustana was led in scoring by Sees with 23 points. Duffy secured her double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds while also leading AU in assists with five. 

Up Next
The Vikings return to action for the final contest of the regular season at cross-town foe Sioux Falls on Saturday at 5:30 p.m.