KYLE RHINE | Reporter

The women’s basketball team season ended Friday in the 75-41 loss to top seeded Augustana in the first round of the Central Region tournament at Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Lindenwood scored the first bucket of the game, but after that, it was all Vikings.  Augustana closed the first quarter on a 13-5 run and would eventually lead the Lions 34-23 at halftime. The Lions shot a low 30 percent from the field and could not take advantage of the free throws. Lindenwood shot 6-14 behind the line.

The struggles continued in the third quarter as the Lions were outscored 19-5 and made just two baskets. In the final quarter, the Vikings outscored the Lions 22-13 and eliminated Lindenwood from the Central Region tournament.

Two Lions’ players recorded double digits, guard Jerricah Butler led the team with 11 points and grabbed four rebounds and forward Gabby Walker tallied 10 points and grabbed six rebounds in the loss.

Lindenwood out-rebounded the Vikings 46-37, but the shooting struggles were too much to overcome as the Lions shot 22 percent from the field while Augustana shot 47.4 percent from the field.

The Lions finish the season with a 20-13 record and as champions of the MIAA tournament for the first time in program history.

“We had a great season,” forward Kallie Bildner said. ” We did a lot of things we never thought possible, and we just have to build on those moments to prepare for next year.”