DUBUQUE, Iowa - In only the second home game of the season and first non-conference home game, the University of Dubuque women's basketball team hosted the Augustana College (IL) Vikings in what would be a tight battle between the two teams with a lead not exceeding nine points. The Vikings were able to make free throws down the stretch as the Spartans fell by a final of 66-71 inside Stoltz Sports Center. 

The Spartans gave up 24 points in the opening quarter as that would be the most they would give up in a quarter tonight. Trailing by seven after one quarter, the Spartans had outscored the Vikings in the second and third quarters by two points each to get within three entering the fourth. Scoring was hard to come by for both teams throughout the beginning of the fourth, but the Spartans were able to battle and get the lead 61-60 with 1:37 to go in the game. The Vikings got the lead back with just over a minute to go and were able to make all their free throws down the stretch. 

A big spark tonight was seeing Karsen Kershner return to Jon Davison court for the first time in 652 days for the Spartans. Kershner was the leading scorer in the game with 16 points on 7-15 shooting from the floor. Tabria Thomas made her first two free throws tonight to extend her streak to 30 made free throws, but Thomas would miss her third attempt to end the streak. Thomas still made 10-12 from the free throw line and has made 38-40 in her last four games. 

Megan Teal knocked down three of her five three point attempts and had the second most points for the Spartans with 13. Morgan Hawkins snagged seven rebounds which was a team high and Kershner grabbed five boards. 

The Spartans shot 23-61 (37.7%) from the field and 14-18 (77.8%) from the charity stripe. The Spartans continue to make free throws at an efficient clip. The Spartans were able to benefit from Vikings turnovers scoring 27 points. 

The Spartans move to 5-3 overall with a 2-1 record in conference play. 

Up Next
The Spartans host Washington University (WashU) of St. Louis on Saturday, December 9 at 3:00 p.m. in the final home game of 2023.