Sanneh, Lomax help push Augustana to road victory

MINOT, N.D. (Augustana) — The Augustana women’s basketball team used a second half surge to lift them to a 59-54 win over Minot State on Friday night at the Minot State Dome.

Isabella Sanneh and Miranda Lomax had themselves a game tonight securing 20 and 16 points, respectively. Sanneh garnered a double double after grabbing 16 rebounds. Ava Pautz added eight rebounds for herself along with six points. Maliyah Elliott contributed nine points and Kristin Edmonds tallied eight for the Vikings (7-12, 4-9 NSIC). 

The Vikings’ first quarter scoring started off after a four point run by the Beavers (8-12, 5-8 NSIC), but was answered by a 3-pointer from Elliott. The Vikings then went scoreless for 3:26 of play, until Lomax ended the dry spell with a jumper with just over four minutes remaining. This would be all the Vikings wrote in the opening quarter as they trailed the Beavers 12-5.

The Vikings remained scoreless to start the second quarter, as Lomax’s jumper stood until Edmonds converted a layup with 6:23 remaining. From there, it was the Lomax show, as she scored 10 of the Vikings’ 17 points in the quarter. Sanneh added two free throws to close out the half. The Vikings’ comeback effort brought them back within 24-21 into the half. 

Minot State started the second half with two points, but Edmonds answered with a pair of free throws. The quarter featured back-and-forth action between the Vikings and Beavers, with five lead changes in a span of 3:23. The Vikings held the lead for the final 1:12 of the quarter, closing out the quarter ahead of the Beavers 40-37.

The final 10 minutes featured back-and-forth scoring yet again, but the Vikings stayed in front. Sanneh scored four points and Pautz added two before the media timeout to give the Vikings a 48-43 lead. Minot State responded after the break, tying the at 50 with 2:17 remaining. 

After the Beavers briefly took the lead at the free throw line, Sanneh connected with Edmonds for an and-one to put AU in front 53-51. Minot State answered with a basket and foul to regain a one-point lead with 37 seconds left, but Sanneh had other plans, and responded with a seal and a score to regain a lead at 55-54 with 31 seconds to go. The Vikings closed the game at the line, as Lomax and Elliott each hit a pair of free throws to secure the 59-54 win.

The Vikings look to continue their success on Saturday afternoon, traveling to Bismarck, N.D., for a 3:30 tip against UMary.

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