Thanks to Dr. Jeff Nelson for the pictures

ROCK ISLAND, Ill. – The North Park University women's basketball team completed a 14-point comeback on Monday night, earning a 70-64 win over the Augustana College Vikings.

Augustana's offense was ready to go in the first quarter of action at Roy J. Carver Center. Augie shot 9-of-15 (60%) and utilized 16 fastbreak points to hold an early 23-13 lead. North Park took longer to heat up, making just three baskets in 15 attempts. North Park improved in the second quarter, scoring 16 points, but still trailed by nine, 38-29, at halftime.

Halftime: Augustana 38, North Park 29

Coach Amanda Crockett and her staff said the right things in the locker room at halftime, as the Vikings from Chicago battled their way back into the game by outscoring Augie 19-9 in the third quarter, capturing a 48-47 lead. This powerful third quarter included a three pointer from Lauren Lee, layups by Esther Miller, and free throws from Lee, Miller, Jayla Johnson and Emily Czuhajewski as North Park prepared for a back-and-forth final quarter.

The fourth quarter featured four lead changes - Augustana utilized 16 fastbreak points while North Park took advantage of 21 second-chance points in the knotted-up final ten minutes.

Nearly five minutes in to the fourth quarter, Augustana pulled ahead by six points on a three pointer by Macy Beinborn and a layup by Kylie Jozwik. However, North Park's Lauren McKnight responded with a jumper in the paint and layups by Lee to tie the game, 58 all. Next, a jumper by Johnson briefly put NPU up before a pair of free throws by Augie's Erin Morrisey tied the game once more, 60-60.

Czuhajewski knocked down a pair of free throws and Johnson converted on an and-one jumper, capturing the momentum once more as NPU looked to hold on to its 65-60 lead.

Free throws by Miller and Lee as well as one more layup by Johnson would seal the deal, as North Park earned the come-from-behind win, 70-64.

FINAL: North Park 70, Augustana 64

Quick Hits:

• Another 20-point performance for Miller, her second in three games
• Miller's 15 rebounds, a career high, completed her double-double
• Lee and Johnson added double-digit point totals, 17 and 12, respectively
• NPU swipes 13 passes, causes 24 turnovers

What's Next?

North Park (10-3, 3-2 CCIW) plays in its third game in five days when they host Illinois Wesleyan University (8-6, 5-0 CCIW) this coming Wednesday, January 12. Tipoff at the NPU Gym is set for 7 p.m.