SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- After matching Augustana University blow-for-blow in the first quarter of play the Bellevue University women's basketball team fell to the Vikings 82-49 in an exhibition contest for the Bruins on Monday evening at the Elmen Center.
Augustana counted the game as a regular-season contest. With the win, they continued their unbeaten run to open the season, improving to 4-0.
Recap: Augustana 82, Bellevue 49
Bellevue stood toe-to-toe with the Vikings in the opening 10 minutes, taking a 20-18 lead after the first period on the strength of 4-of-8 shooting from deep.
The Vikings tied the game early in the second quarter on a layup from Camryn Hay. After Elexis Martinez hit a jumper to restore the BU lead, Augie closed the half on a 16-3 run over the final 7:37 to take a 36-25 lead into intermission.
Augustana out-scored Bellevue 46-11 over the middle two quarters with the Bruins hitting on just 1-of-12 three-point attempts during that span.
The Bruins again found their footing in the fourth quarter, matching Augustana's output as each time scored 18 in the final stanza.
Augustana forced Bellevue into 24 turnovers that the Vikings converted into 32 points at the other end.
Elexis Martinez paced Bellevue with 12 points and pulled down six rebounds. Jerrene Richardson scored seven to go along with a game-high nine boards and four assists.
Cassie Jones (9), Taeha Pankey (8), Faith Ross (6), Miranda Hennings (4), and Lexi Allen (3) also found their way into the scoring column for the Bruins.
Lauren Sees and Abby Hora led the Vikings with 18 and 16 points, respectively. Vishe' Rabb and Izzy Van Veldhuizen tossed in nine points apiece for Augie while Danni Honner added eight and Hay chipped in seven.
Up Next:
Bellevue travels west on I-80 this weekend for a pair of games at the C3 Hotel Classic. The Bruins face Doane University on Friday at 2 p.m. before taking on host, and 16th-ranked, Hastings College on Saturday at 3 p.m.