WINONA, Minn. -- Abbey Luger (SR, Oakdale, Minn./North St. Paul HS) led the Augsburg College
women's basketball team to a hard-fought 66-57 loss to an undefeated Saint Mary's University squad in Minnesota Intercollegiate Athltic Conference action on Saturday afternoon.THE BASICSFINAL SCORE: Augsburg College 57, Saint Mary's University 66LOCATION: Saint Mary's Gym, Winona, Minn.
RECORDS: Augsburg 1-1 MIAC (5-3 overall), Saint Mary's 2-0 MIAC (8-0 overall)HOW IT HAPPENED• Augsburg put together an incredible second-half rally and despite trailing by as many as 26, the Auggies cut the Cardinal lead to just six points on three seperate occasions in the final 10 minutes of the second half. The Auggies used a key 20-0 run during the middle of the second half to get within striking distance and fell just short of upsetting an undefeated Saint Mary's team.
• Luger and Jessica Lillquist (JR, Sebeka, Minn./Sebeka HS) scored 14 points apiece to lead the Auggies offensively. Luger also led the Auggies on the boards, pulling down six rebounds and adding team-highs with four assists and three steals. Lillquist shot 6-of-11 from the field and added a rebound and an assist.
• Also scoring in double figures for the Auggies was Ashley Anfinson (JR, Watertown, Minn./Watertown-Mayer HS), who posted 12 points -- all in the second half, connecting on 4-of-9 shooting from beyond the arc. • The Auggies forced 17 Saint Mary's turnovers, but unfortunately committed a season-high 21.
• For the game, Augsburg shot 35.8 percent (19-of-53) from the field and a season-best 87.5 percent (14-of-16) from the free throw line.FOR THE FOES• The Cardinals finished with two players in double figures, led by Shelby Auseth, who scored 12 points, five rebounds, a pair of assists and steals and a blocked shot.
• For the game, Saint Mary's shot 45.1 percent (23-of-51) from the field and claimed a 35-30 advantage on the boards.UP NEXT• Augsburg returns to action on Saturday (12/13) at 1 p.m. when the Auggies host the University of St. Thomas in a men's and women's doubleheader.
