Box Score

ELMHURST, Ill. - The Elmhurst College women's basketball team had its three-game winning streak snapped in a 70-68 double overtime loss to Augustana College.

Elmhurst (9-10, 4-4 CCIW)  led by as many as 11 points in the opening half and had a five-point advantage with 2:36 remaining. Four straight points from Augustana trimmed the Bluejays' lead down to just one point with 1:33 to play. Ceejay Harris split a pair of free throws with 43 seconds remaining to give Elmhurst a 53-51 lead. Augustana's Courtney Miller evened the score with a jumper with 20 seconds left. The Bluejays had two chances to win the game in the closing five seconds, but neither shot fell, sending the game to overtime. 

In the first overtime, the Bluejays struggled from the foul line, failing to put the game away. Leading by two points, the Bluejays hit just two of six free throws over the next 1:30, allowing Augustana to keep the Bluejays' lead at two points. Miller hit a game-tying jumper with 52 ticks left on the clock, but the Bluejays went back on top on a pair of Megan Ney free throws with 30 seconds remaining. Augustina's Brianna Skeens hit a lay-up with 18 seconds left to force a second overtime.

In the second overtime, Elmhurst opened up a quick three-point advantage, but five straight Augustana points put the Vikings on top. Elmhurst's Kim Schwerdtmann tied the score on a pair of free throws with 1:27 left. Augustana used three offensive rebounds over the next minute to hold for one shot. Molly Etheridge hit the game-winning lay-up with five seconds to play for the Vikings.

Elmhurst finished the game shooting 44.4 percent (23-of-69) from the floor, but only 14.3 percent (2-of-14) from beyond the arc. The Bluejays shot 62.5 percent (20-of-32) from the foul line. 

Augustana (5-14, 1-7 CCIW) snapped a seven-game conference losing streak with the win. The Vikings shot just 33.3 percent (27-of-81) from the field, including 26.1 percent (6-of-23) from downtown. Augustana dominated on the glass, outrebounding the Bluejays 59-49. 

Meghan Merklein led the Bluejays with 23 points in the loss. Ney added a double-double with 15 points and 15 rebounds. Kelsey Monroe and Harris scored eight points apiece in the loss. 

Augustana was led by Kristen Fox's 23-point, 13-rebound performance. Miller added 18 points and 11 rebounds for the Vikings. Etheridge finished with nine points.

Elmhurst travels to Millikin University on Tuesday, February 1.