MINNEAPOLIS -- The Augsburg College women's basketball team struggled to find its offensive rhythm in the first quarter and despite battling for the remaining three periods, could never quite chip into the early Gustavus Adolphus College lead, falling 73-51 in Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference action on Wednesday night at Si Melby Hall.

THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Gustavus Adolphus 73, Augsburg 51
LOCATION: Si Melby Hall, Minneapolis
RECORDS: Gustauvs 11-0 overall (4-0 MIAC); Augsburg 8-4 overall (1-3 MIAC)

HOW IT HAPPENED
• Despite outscoring the Gusties 46-40 over the final three frames, Augsburg's first-quarter struggles, combined with a hot-shooting Gustavus team, gave the Gusties a 33-5 advantage after the first quarter and Augsburg could never quite pull within striking distance.
• Tamira McLemore (FY, Eagan, Minn./Eagan HS) led the Augsburg offense, scoring 11 points, while adding four rebounds, two assists and a pair of steals. 
• Newcomer Ellie Schwartz (FY, Woodbury, Minn./Hill-Murray HS) scored in double-figures in her Auggie debut, finishing with 10 points on 4-of-8 shooting from the floor, while adding four rebounds and a steal.
• Arianna Jones (FY, Brooklyn Park, Minn./Osseo HS) dished out a team-best three assists, while adding four rebounds and two points.
• For the second straight game, the Augsburg reserves outscored the opposition, claiming a 21-12 advantage.
• Augsburg had its second-best free-throw shooting night of the season, connecting on 14-of-16 from the charity stripe.

FOR THE FOES
• Gustavus was paced by Hannah Howard, who posted a 17-point, 12 rebound double-double, while adding three assists and three steals.
• Mikayla Miller dished out a game-high eight assists, while adding 13 points, six rebounds and a steal.

UP NEXT
• Augsburg returns to action on Saturday (1/7), when the Auggies travel to Arden Hills, Minn. to take on Bethel University in a women's and men's doubleheader. The women tip-off at 1 p.m. and the men will follow at 3 p.m.
• Gustavus also returns to action on Saturday (1/7), when the Gusties host the College of Saint Benedict in MIAC action.