The Augustana Vikings women’s basketball team encountered a challenging defeat in their final road game of 2023, with a 67-63 loss to Northwest Missouri State at Bearcat Arena. This outcome brought the Vikings’ overall record to 1-9, while the Bearcats rose to 10-2.
Leading the scoring for the Vikings was Lauren Sees, who showcased an impressive performance by scoring 24 points on 8 of 13 shooting and securing five rebounds. Notably, she contributed 15 of her 24 points in the crucial fourth quarter. Additionally, Michaela Jewett made a notable impact, concluding with 18 points on 7 of 12 shooting, including three three-pointers, and contributing six rebounds and four assists. Jennifer Aadland excelled with a game-high 11 rebounds and added seven points.
The game commenced with a formidable 8-2 run by the Vikings, with Aadland and Jewett making significant plays to establish an early lead. However, the Bearcats mounted a comeback, and the first quarter concluded with the Vikings leading 21-15. Throughout the second quarter, the Bearcats persistently applied pressure, narrowing the gap to a two-point deficit by halftime, with the score at 29-27 in favor of the Vikings.
Northwest Missouri State commenced the second half with a strong performance, scoring nine of the first 11 points and acquiring the lead. Nonetheless, the Vikings retaliated, gradually diminishing the Bearcats’ lead and commencing the fourth quarter with the score at 46-42 in favor of the Bearcats.
The fourth quarter witnessed an intense, back-and-forth exchange between the two teams. Augustana’s Lauren Sees assumed a leadership role, making impactful plays to keep her team in contention. However, despite a valiant effort, the Vikings ultimately fell short, resulting in a 67-63 victory for the Bearcats.
Despite the defeat, the Vikings exhibited tenacity and resolve, foreshadowing an exhilarating rematch in the future. The team will now commence a holiday hiatus before resuming action on December 30th at the Elmen Center against Northwestern (Iowa).
The game underscored the talent and commitment of both teams, highlighting the competitive nature of women’s collegiate basketball. The Vikings demonstrated great potential and skill, with their performance serving as a wellspring of inspiration for their forthcoming games in the new year.