SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - Concordia University (8-12, 5-9 NSIC) rallied to take a late second half lead but Augustana (15-3, 12-2 NSIC) made timely three-pointers down the stretch to seal a 78-69 victory at Elmen Center in Friday night Northern Sun play. Augustana made just 19.2% (5-26) from three-point range, but made their last two long range attempts in the final three minutes. BOX SCORE

The Golden Bears took their first lead since the early moments of the game at 61-59 with under six minutes left. But Augustana would outscore Concordia 19-8 down the stretch to thwart the late rally.

It was Augie's three-pointers on consecutive possesions with 2:40 and 1:57 to play that closed out a game-changing scoring spurt late in the game that took Augie's 1-point 64-63 lead and made it a 75-66 advantage with under two minutes to play. The Vikings would push the lead to double-digits for the first time moments later.

Concordia's bench poured in 35 points (compared to Augustana's 14) and they out-rebounded the Vikings 47-40 including a 15-10 edge on the offensive glass. The bench and offensive glass were both led by sophomore Erica Gress (Apple Valley, Minn.) with 13 points and four offensive rebounds. She just missed a double-double with nine total boards. Junior Anne Skriba (La Crosse, Wis.) added 12 points off the bench as well.

But Concordia turned the offensive rebounds into just six points, neutralizing their inside edge. Concordia also committed 16 turnovers leading to Augustana's 15-7 margin in points off turnovers.

It was a closely contested second half despite only the one lead held by the Golden Bears. Concordia was able to force three ties before finally taking the lead and the Augustana lead stayed within six points until late in the game.

But of the three second half ties, Augustana scored on the ensuing possession the first two times while Concordia misfired on their lone go-ahead opportunity until super-subs Gress and Skriba hit back-to-back jumpers to tie and take the lead with 6:07 and 5:47 to play, respectively.

Augustana responded by making their next six field goal attempts including the back-to-back three-pointers, and added a pair of free throws as well to pull away.

Sophomore Rachel Hansen (Eagan, Minn.) led Concordia with 14 points, five assists and four rebounds, getting to the foul line 11 times (8-11).

Augustana was led by Lydia Nelson's 21 points on 9-19 shooting. Despite going 1-9 from behind the arc, Nelson was 8-10 from inside the arc to lead all scorers. Molly Hayes had 19 points, six rebounds and six assists as well while four total Vikings reached double-figures in scoring.

The Golden Bear road trip doesn't get any easier. After playing Augustana, who is receiving major consideration for the WBCA Top-25 (#30 overall in votes) and second in the league standings, they have to go to seventh-ranked Wayne State tomorrow, who sits atop the NSIC standings. They tip-off at Rice Auditorium at 4:00 p.m.