Carthage 71, Augustana 57
ROCK ISLAND - The Carthage women's basketball team hit the road on Saturday for a CCIW match-up against the Augustana (Ill.) Vikings. After a strong opening quarter, the Firebirds controlled the lead for the rest of the game and came away with a road victory.



Marianna Morrissey got the Firebirds on the scoreboard first with a jump shot on the second possession of the game. The Vikings jumped out to a brief 4-2 lead before before a layup from Morrissey and a jump shot from Alyssa Orozco swung the two point lead in favor of the visiting Firebirds at 6-4. Grace Wamser made her season debut in the game and scored her first basket with a layup six minutes into the first quarter. Three straight baskets, including a three-pointer, for Malia Green extending the Firebirds lead to 15-6. A layup for Morrissey concluded the quarter with Carthage ahead 17-6. Green led the team with seven points in the quarter.

Elena Knebel extended the scoring run to 11-0 with a three-point basket at the start of the second quarter. The Vikings ended the scoring drought on the next possession and went on a 5-0 run to cut the deficit to 20-11 with 7:32 to play in the first half. A pair of free throws from Grace Cord and another basket from Knebel helped hold the Carthage lead at 11 points. A layup from Cord extended the lead to 26-13.  The Vikings caught the momentum and went on a 9-0 run over the next 2:30 to cut the Firebirds lead to 26-22 with 1:07 left to play. Morrissey drained a driving layup through contact and drew the foul before finishing the three-point play with a free throw. A late score from the Vikings would end the half with the scoreboard reading 29-24 in favor of the Firebirds.

The Vikings opened the second half on a 4-0 run to bring the score to 29-28 early in the third quarter. Morrissey got the Firebirds back on the scoreboard but the Vikings kept the score close for the next several minutes and eventually tied the contest at 32-32. Emma Carlson drained a turnaround jumper to give the Firebirds the lead and a three-point shot from Green extended the lead back to five points. The Vikings answered right back with a 4-0 run to bring the lead back to just one point for Carthage. Emma Thistle scored a driving layup and kicked off an 11-2 scoring run for the Firebirds which included a jumper from Morrissey, a turnaround jumper from Cord, free throws from Nora Ahram and Morrissey, and a three from Thistle to give the Firebirds a 48-38 lead at the end of the third quarter. 

Carlson continued the scoring run with a jump shot to open the fourth quarter, extending the Carthage lead to 12 points. The two squads traded baskets for most of the fourth quarter, with the Firebirds lead fluctuating from seven to 12 points throughout the period. The Firebirds would sink four free throws in the final minute to close out a 71-57 victory.


 

• Morrissey led the Firebirds with 16 points, five rebounds, and two assists. The five rebounds was tied for a team high in the game with Carlson.
• Green finished the game with 14 points, and two rebounds.
• Orozco finished with 13 points and three rebounds.
• Thistle registered a team high four assists.

"It was a great team win today with everyone contributing in different ways," said Head Coach Megan Jones. "We had a tough stretch in the 2nd quarter but I thought we did a great job getting refocused in the second half. It feels good to get that first conference win, and especially on the road. The CCIW is a battle every night and getting wins on the road is crucial. We're excited to turn our focus to the Puerto Rico trip this week where we have two tough opponents in John Carroll and the University of Saint Joseph. But we're excited to play in 85 degree temps, and not the ice storm we drove through today!"



The Firebirds (6-2, 1-1 CCIW) return to Tarble Arena on Monday, Dec. 30 as the Firebirds close out the calendar year with a game against Luther at 2 p.m. For more information, visit athletics.carthage.edu.