MINNEAPOLIS – Fueled by a strong performance in the third quarter, the Augsburg University women's basketball team pushed past St. Olaf College 77-69 in Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play on Saturday afternoon at Si Melby Hall. 

THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Augsburg 77, St. Olaf 69
LOCATION: Si Melby Hall, Minneapolis, Minn.
RECORDS: Augsburg 2-5 overall (01-4 MIAC), St. Olaf 2-6 overall (1-4 MIAC)

HOW IT HAPPENED
• After a tight first quarter, the Auggies managed to open a nine-point lead at 22-13 with just over five minutes remaining in the second quarter. The Oles found a quick response before halftime, closing the quarter on a 14-6 run to cut the Auggie lead to two at the break.
• Augsburg began to separate in the third quarter, pushing the lead as high as 16 before the Oles cut it to 11 at 55-44 at the final quarter break. In total, Augsburg outscored St. Olaf 27-17 in the third.  The Auggie advantage never dipped below seven in the final frame as the Auggies hung on to secure their second win of the young season.
• As a team, the Auggies outshot the Oles 48.3% (28-of-58) to 36.4% (24-of-66) from the field. Augsburg also won the turnover battle by a 16-8 margin, cashing in for 18 points to St. Olaf's seven.
• Anja Smith (SR, Kewaskum, Wis./Saint Mary's Springs HS) had one of her best games of the season, pouring in a team-leading 21 points on 9-of-14 shooting and adding seven rebounds and a block.
• Katie Manecke (SR, Shoreview, Minn./Mounds View HS) was efficient in her scoring opportunities, shooting 3-of-5 from the floor and 8-of-12 from the free throw line for 15 points while adding six assists, five rebounds, and three steals. Kalena Myers (SR, Burnsville, Minn./Apple Valley HS) was the only other Auggie in double figures, scoring 12 points and adding five assists and four rebounds.
• Wakinyela Bear (SO, Morrison, Colo./Meskwaki HS),  Samaiya Buchanan (SR, Minneapolis, Minn./Hopkins HS), and Maecee Alexander (FY, St. Louis Park, Minn./St. Louis Park HS) added nine points each for the Auggies.

FOR THE FOES
• Sarah Tangen led the Oles with a 22-point, four-rebound performance on 9-of-21 shooting.
• Paige Yagodinski notched an 10-point, 11-rebound double-double.

UP NEXT
• The Auggies will wrap up the calendar year of 2023 with a nonconference game at the University of Wisconsin-Stout on Saturday, December 30 at 1 pm.