St. Cloud, Minn. – The St. Cloud State University women's basketball team matched up against Augustana College in a 4 p.m. Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) contest in Halenbeck Hall. The game endured five tied scores and six lead changes as the Huskies were able to hold onto a second half lead to defeat the Vikings 74-73 in final scoring. This is the Huskies first victory over Augustana College since the 2006 season.
 
With the win, St. Cloud State improves to 13-7 overall and 9-7 in the NSIC. Augustana falls to 11-9 overall and 7-9 in conference play.
 
The Huskies held a 42-33 lead at the half after Sam Price (Eau Claire, Wis.) went on an eight-point solo-scoring run in the final minute and a half.
 
St. Cloud State led by as much as 13 in the second half (16:02), but the Vikings continued to battle back, cutting the Huskies' lead to just three with under a minute to play.
 
Jessica Benson (Grand Meadow) knocked down two free throw attempts at the: 58 second mark, but Augustana's Emily Schulte answered with a two-point slash through the lane. Ahead by three, the Vikings were forced to foul sending Lexy Petermann (Fond du Lac, Wis.) to the line. Petermann knocked down one of two free throws to put the Huskies up four with just four seconds on the clock. Emily Schulte's three at the buzzer wasn't enough; giving the Huskies a well-earned one-point victory.
 
Senior forward Jessica Benson (Grand Meadow) had an impressive night shooting 10 of 17 from the field and eight of eight at the line to finish with a season-high 28 points. Benson pulled down 16 rebounds and collected three blocks to secure her twelfth double-double of the season.
 
Rachael Moen (Savage) knocked down four shots from beyond the arc to finish with 17 points. Moen dished out a team-high five assists and grabbed four steals.
 
Lexy Petermann went three of six from the floor and five of seven at the line to finish with 11 points. Petermann tied her career-high with nine rebounds. Sam Price added ten points in the contest.
 
Emily Schulte led Augustana with 27 points, making four of five shots from beyond the arc and grabbing five steals.
 
The Huskies will return to action on Feb. 7 and 8 as they travel to MSU Moorhead and Northern State University.