Augustana beats MSU-Moorehead

MOORHEAD, Minn. — Molly Hayes scored a game-high 22 points and became the all-time assist leader for No. 25 Augustana (S.D.) in a 67-57 victory against Minnesota State-Moorhead on Friday night.

Hayes handed out four assists and passed Sandra Zwach as the all-time leader at Augustana. She now has 571 career assists. Her 22 points came of 7-14 shooting, including a trio of 3-pointers.

Lydia Nelson also reached double figures for the Vikings, netting 12 points. Augustana received double-figure rebounding performances from Faith Tinklenberg and Alex Feeney, who grabbed 11 and 10 boards, respectively. Tinklenberg added 10 points for her third career double-double.

Megan Strese scored 16 points off the bench to pace the Dragons.

Augustana shot 46 percent in the second half after a 29-percent performance in the first half.

The Vikings also registered nine blocks in the win.

It was a frigid first half for both teams as MSUM connected at a 21 (8-37) percent from the field.

MSUM’s seven-point advantage at 12:36 faded as the Vikings warmed up in the final 10 minutes, earning a 29-26 advantage by the break.

Hayes scored eight first-half points. Feeney had eight boards and three blocks by halftime.

Augustana’s improved shooting in the second half eventually buried the Dragons.

An 11-3 run inside eight minutes — which included back-to-back 3-pointers from Hayes — put the Vikings ahead 63-48 with 4:37 to play. It was their largest lead of the game.