ROCK ISLAND, Ill. -- The North Park University women's basketball team concluded its regular season on the road, falling to the Augustana College Vikings, 62-56, inside the Roy J. Carver Center on Saturday night.   

In the opening five minutes of the game, sophomore forward Jayla Johnson, sophomore center Josie Summerville, and junior guard Zakiya Newsome supplied the early offense, marking eight points, as North Park led 8-2.  North Park finished the first quarter allowing only three more baskets to lead, 18-8. 

First Quarter: North Park 18, Augustana 8  

At the start of the second quarter, Augustana and North Park split the first 12 points making the score 24-14. In the first four minutes of the second quarter, North Park out-rebounded Augustana 8-2.  

Moving to a score of 29-19, Augustana's Macy Beinborn and Newsome traded 3-pointers making the score 32-22. Augustana marked the final point of the quarter on a free throw as North Park took a 32-23 lead into the locker room.   

Johnson led the Vikings marking 10 points and 6 rebounds.  With a couple of three-pointers, sophomore Emily Czuahjewski followed with six points and senior Alisha Panthier grabbed a team second-best five boards.  North Park controlled the boards out-rebounding Augustana 28-15 and 11-3 on the offensive glass.   

Halftime: North Park 32, Augustana 23 

In the third quarter, Augustana scored six of the first 14 points and closed the gap to 38-31. Augie kept its momentum, scoring the next nine points, to take their first lead at 40-38.

Through the closing seconds of the third quarter, sophomore guard Jacki Rapp dropped in two free throws and tied the game at 40 going into the fourth quarter. 

Third Quarter: North Park 40, Augustana 40 

After Augustana started the fourth quarter marking the first four points, back-to-back 3-pointers by Czuahjewski and junior guard Lauryn Alba Garner gave the momentum and lead back to North Park with a 47-44 score. However, shortly after NPU took the lead, Augustana powered ahead to a 54-52 lead of their own with two minutes left.  

Following a pull-up 3-pointer from Alba Garner - giving the Vikings the lead - Augustana struck back in the following possession, making the score 56-55 with 1:30 on the clock.

Unfortunately, Augustana hit its final six free throws and edged North Park, 62-56.   

Final: Augustana 62, North Park 56 

Quick Hits:  

• Johnson led the Vikings with 17 points and 13 rebounds, registering her seventh double-double of the season

• Alba Garner and Czuahjewski followed with 12 and 11 points, respectively

• North Park outscored Augustana 15-2 on second-chance points and 26-16 on points off the bench

• Augustana outscored North Park 39-24 in the second half

What's Next?  

The Vikings (17-8, 10-6 CCIW) will serve as the three seed in the CCIW Tournament and will host the six-seeded North Central College Cardinals inside the North Park Gym on Tuesday, February 25. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.

--NPU--