Box Score Monmouth held nearly even in the second half, but found the first half hole too deep in  a 95-70 season-opening loss to Augustana.
 
Trailing 50-27 at the break, the Scots held the margin with improved shooting and ball handling, but the Vikings kept the Scots at arm's length despite a 21-point night from sophomore guard Jeni Crain. Crain turned in a 7-of-15 night from the floor and a perfect 6-for-6 from the line. Freshman backcourt mate Shayne Smith added 11 for the only Scots in double figures.
 
Augustana forced 15 first half turnovers out of the Scots and used a 6-1 run in the final two minutes of the first quarter to open up their lead.
 
Monmouth returns to action next Tuesday with a 6 p.m. game at Eureka.