Vikings defeat Rustlers 78-66

The Augustana Vikings defeated the Lakeland Rustlers 78-66 Friday night in Lloydminster.  Both teams took good shots early on, but could not get them to fall.  The Vikings were able to get their shots to fall first, taking an 8-4 lead.  The Rustlers responded with a 7-0 run of their own, forcing the Vikings to take a timeout.  The two teams went back and forth to end the quarter, with the Rustlers taking a 19-14 lead after one.  The Rustlers came out strong to start the second quarter, finding ways to get the ball inside for easy baskets.  The Vikings found their own ways to score, driving to the hoop and drawing fouls.  The Rustlers increased their lead to 9, but the Vikings responded, cutting the lead to 2 with less than two minutes remaining in the half.  The Vikings were able to overcome the 2 point deficit and take a 38-36 lead into the half.  Both teams were slow to start the third quarter, struggling to score in any way.  The teams would eventually find their scoring touch and trade baskets for much of the quarter.  After three quarters, the Vikings lead 55-54.  In the fourth quarter, the Rustlers fought to come back and overtake the Vikings but struggled once again to score.  The Vikings built a 9 point lead midway through the quarter and held on for the 78-66 win.  Player of the Game for the Rustlers was #11, Hailey Sommers.  Player of the Game for the Vikings was #14, Hannah Mitchell.