Waukesha, Wis. – The Carroll University Pioneers women's basketball team was downed by Augustana for a second time this season by a score of 69-56 inside Van Male Field House. Sierra Grubor finished with a team high 15 points as well as a team high six rebounds. Sierra Cruz returns to the starting line-up and finished with five assists and three steals.
 
It was a tale of two halves for the women. They struggled in the first half, managing to only sink five baskets (19.2% FGM). They turned in around in the second half, shooting 14-29 from the floor (48.3%). The Pioneers won the second half, outscoring the Vikings 38-37.  The Pios saw 19 attempts from the charity stripe the whole game, but were only able to knock in 11. The Pioneer bench was outscored 26-14, but three starters finished in double digits including Grubor, Theresa Wichser (13 pts), and Cruz (10 pts). Brooke Foster led the bench with seven points and a block.
 
A strong defensive first quarter helped keep the ladies close, freshman Megan Madsen forced a turnover in the first minute to give the Pioneers the ball, but they couldn't capitalize until a free throw from Cruz three minutes into the game. Elizabeth Behrndt blocked a shot that would have brought Augie's lead to five with three seconds left in the first quarter. Grubor helped bring the Viking's leads close, but a 15-3 Augie run stifled the women. Grubor netted a pair of free throws to end the first half down 14.
 
Wichser came up big to start, knocking down two of her four threes within the first two minutes of the second half. The Pioneers were picking up momentum after those shots with a 6-0 run, before an Augie three brought their lead back to double digits. The Vikings came back with team leader Alexis Jones scoring their final five points of the quarter. Despite threes from Cruz, Wichser, Katie Evans, and Foster in the fourth, The Vikings had an answer, with both teams struggling to gain momentum.
 
The women will take on Carthage at home, on Jan. 29. The women fell in Kenosha last time out, 57-74. Kayla Stefka finished with a team high 14 points against the Lady Reds. Stay up to date on Carroll women's basketball this season by going online to www.gopios.com, or by following the Pioneers on Facebook (Carroll University Athletics), Twitter (@pio_athletics), and Instagram (@pio_athletics).