ELMHURST, Ill. – A strong first half lifted the Elmhurst women's basketball team past Augustana 69-48. 

The Bluejays (11-8, 5-3 CCIW) held the Vikings (8-11, 3-5 CCIW) to just 20 points on 9-of-30 shooting in the first half, while forcing 12 turnovers. Elmhurst's three-point shooting (5-of-9) was a big factor in the opening half, as five different Bluejays knocked down shots from distance.

Elmhurst began the game by scoring eight points on four possessions, which forced an Augustana timeout. The Vikings then ripped off the next 10 points of the game, but Elmhurst responded with a 10-0 run and took an 18-12 lead into the second quarter. 

The Bluejay defense stifled the Vikings in the second quarter, limiting Augustana to eight points on just 4-of-17 from the field. Elmhurst only scored 14 points in the quarter, but went to the locker room with a 12-point lead. 

The Elmhurst offense came out firing in the third quarter, scoring on four of its first five posessions to stretch out an 18-point advantage. The Bluejays scored 23 points in the quarter on 6-of-12 from the field and 9-of-10 from the free-throw line. Elmhurst led by as much as 24 in the quarter and cruised to the 21-point victory. 

Eleven Bluejays combined for the team's 69 points, including double-figure nights from Kaela Jones (14), Michaela Kumer (12), and Mikaela Eppard (10). Elmhurst totaled 23 points at the free-throw line (79-percent), while shooting 37-percent from the field and 47-percent (8-of-17) from downtown. Elmhurst also outrebounded the Vikings 43-31. 

Augustana's Marissa Pezzopane scored 14 points to tie for the game-high and Olivia Mayer joined her in double-digits with 12. The Vikings won the turnover battle 27-23 and made the same amount of shots as the Bluejays (19), but missed all six three-point attempts in the game. 

The Bluejays host Millikin this Saturday, January 30 at 2:00 p.m.