BOXSCORE

MINNEAPOLIS -- Serenae Levine (JR, Eden Prairie, Minn./Eden Prairie HS) recorded a game- and season-high 11 rebounds, but it was not enough as the Augsburg College women's baksetball team fell 57-44 to St. Mary's University on Wednesday night at Si Melby Hall in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference opener for both teams.

Levine added six points and a team-high four assists for Augsburg (1-3 overall, 0-1 MIAC), while Brittany Dyshaw (SO, Eagan, Minn./Eagan HS) led the Auggies in scoring with eight points and chipped in two blocked shots.

St. Mary's (3-1 overall, 1-0 MIAC) was led by Jess Miller and Cherie Kulig, who scored 18 and 11 points respectively.

In a game with nine lead changes in the first seven minutes of play, the difference came down to 11-0 and 14-4 runs by the Cardinals, giving St. Mary's a 34-20 lead at the half. The Augsburg defense stepped up the intensity in the second half, forcing twice as many St. Mary's turnovers, but the Auggies weren't able to get closer than nine points.

Augsburg and St. Mary's had nearly identical shooting percentages in the game, Augsburg connecting on 20-of-67 and St. Mary's hitting 19-of-61. The largest difference in the contest was free throws, St. Mary's was able to convert on 19-of-24, while the Auggies were only able to get to the line six times, converting on four. 

Augsburg and St. Mary's both return to action on Saturday (12/4), with Augsburg traveling to Northfield to take on Carleton and St. Mary's traveling to St. Paul to take on Macalester. Both games are scheduled for a 1 p.m. tip-off.