Box Score

ELMHURST, Ill. - The Elmhurst College women's basketball team won its sixth straight contest and improved to 9-4 overall by hammering Augustana College 79-61.

Elmhurst (2-0 in the CCIW) led 34-28 at halftime despite shooting just 35.1 percent (13-of-37) from the floor. 

The Bluejays exploded out of the gate in the second half, opening the half on a 19-4 run to take a commanding 53-32 lead. Augustana (6-7, 1-1 CCIW) trimmed the lead down to 14 points with 12 minutes to play, but the Bluejays pushed their lead to 22 points (73-51) and coasted to the 18-point victory.

Elmhurst shot 42.9 percent (27-of-63) from the floor, but struggled from downtown, hitting just 3-of-15 attempts (20.0 percent) from beyond the arc.  Elmhurst converted 22-of-27 free throw attempts (81.5 percent).

Augustana finished the contest shooting 33.9 percent (19-of-56) from the floor, including 21.4 percent (3-of-14) from 3-point range.

The Bluejays made the most of Augustana's mistakes, turning 26 turnovers into 27 points. 

Elmhurst's starting five did all the damage for the Bluejays. Meghan Merklein poured in a game-high 24 points while grabbing eight rebounds. Lyndsie Long netted 19 points and grabbed nine boards. With her 19 points, Long moved into fourth place on Elmhurst's all-time scoring list with 1,496 points. Rashida Joiner totaled 11 points, seven rebounds, and a season-high seven assists in the win. Kelsey Monroe added 10 points while Megan Ney scored eight. 

Augustana was led by Lani Kasten's 22 points and eight rebounds. Natalie Runge and Gianna Pecora scored eight points apiece in the loss.

Elmhurst travels to Carthage College on Tuesday, January 12.