The Northwest Missouri State women’s basketball team opened the 2015-16 season with a loss to Augustana, 89-52.

The game was played in the Stewart Center on the campus of Sioux Falls in Sioux Falls, S.D.

Senior Tember Schechinger led Northwest with 12 points and seven rebounds after knocking down five-of-11 shots from the field.

Jasmin Howe and Shelby Mustain each matched Schechinger’s seven rebounds. Mustain scored eight points, including six in the first half, while Howe added four points, one assist and one steal.

The Bearcats hit 19-of-51 shots in the game (37.3 percent), while the Vikings hit 47.1 percent of their shots (33-of-70).

Northwest scored on four straight possessions late in the third quarter to claw closer to the Vikings. Tember Schechinger connected on two straight layups, the first coming on a pass from Arbrie Benson. After Schechinger knocked down one-of-two free throws on the next Bearcat possession, Taryne Shull made a driving layup to close the gap to 64-38.

The Bearcats will wrap up the opening weekend when they play host Sioux Falls Saturday at 6 p.m.

— Northwest Athletics —