SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Winona State put together one of its best offensive performances of the season in the first half in Sioux Falls, but couldn't sustain it in the second half as Augustana made a big 74-71 comeback victory over the Warriors Friday night in Sioux Falls Arena.
Sophomore center Kayla Timmerman put together her best offensive performance of the season, scoring a career-high 24 points on 10-of-15 shooting with eight rebounds and four blocked shots.
However, Winona State committed 17 turnovers, 11 of which came in the second half that allowed the Vikings to come back.
Winona State opened the game with a 13-4 run in the first 5:54 with Connor Nagle draining two three-pointers, Tara Roelofs knocking down a three and Alexis Foley and Hannah McGlone each adding a layup.
Augustana would make a small run at the Warriors to cut the WSU lead to 14-9 at the 13:23 mark. However, the Warriors answered with a 21-5 run over the next six minutes to make it 35-14 with 7:24 to go in the first half with Timmerman scoring 12 of the Warriors' 21 points during that stretch.
The Vikings would make a small run toward the end of the first half, but the Warriors would go into the locker room at halftime with the momentum as McGlone knocked down a layup with 37 seconds to go until halftime.
Winona State got a defensive stop on the following possession and the Warriors went into halftime with a 43-29 lead.
The Warriors would struggle to find an offensive groove again in the second half. After stretching their lead to 52-37 at the 15:15 mark on a Timmerman jumper, the Vikings would go on a 16-1 run over the next 6:15 to tie the ball game up at 53. The Warriors during that stretch went 0-for-8 from the field and committed three turnovers.
WSU answered with a 12-5 run to make it 65-58 WSU with 4:45 to go, but the lead would not last long. Augustana went on an 8-0 run over the next 1:33 to take their first lead of that game at 66-65 with 3:12 to go.
The Warriors would find answers in the form of Timmerman over the next few minutes as the Warriors and Vikings' Shaunteva Ashley traded scores throughout the rest of the half.
Timmerman answered with a bucket to give WSU a 67-66 lead again, but the Vikings answered with two free throws at that 1:32 mark to give them the lead again. Timmerman was able to make two free throws on the following possession to make it 69-68 WSU at the 1:18 mark.
After giving up another quick score, Timmerman came away with another jumper in the paint to make it 71-70 WSU. The Warriors gave up another score after Ashley knocked down a contested jumper with 22 seconds to go to make it a 72-71 Vikings lead. Unfortunately, the Warriors had a costly turnover in the backcourt with eight seconds to go. Augustana was able to knock down two free throws after a quick foul to make it 74-71 Vikings with six seconds left.
Nagle was able to drive down the court quickly and fire up a desperation three at the buzzer, but the shot just missed and the Vikings came away with the big comeback victory.
Winona State finished the game with four players in double-figures. Along with Timmerman, Nagle scored 16 points on 6-of-11 shooting, including 4-of-7 from behind the arc.
McGlone also scored a career-high 14 points on 6-of-10 shooting with six rebounds and three steals.
Foley rounded out the Warriors who scored in double-figures with 12 points on 5-of-9 shooting with five assists.
Winona State will look to try and rebound from the tough loss tomorrow, as the Warriors will take on Wayne State at 4 p.m. in Rice Auditorium.
