MONMOUTH, Ill. -- The Augsutana Vikings women's basketball team conquered their season opener against the Monmouth Scots on Saturday by a score of 94-47. 

In the opening quarter, Paige Melton scored first, and the team collected six more points to lead 8-0 after three minutes of play. The Scots followed with five, put a good three-pointer by Kadence Tatum stretched the game 11-5. Melton pushed the gap to 10 after a successful layup at 15-5, and Jazmeriah Jones followed with four more to move the difference to 13. The Vikings kept the scoring momentum high with Audrey Erickson closing the first 10 minutes of play with a three-point shot to make a score of 28-9. 

The Vikings outscored the Scots 30-5 in the second quarter, with a team highlight of a 21-point run to create the largest gap of 43 with 1:37 remaining on the clock. Erickson scored a successful three-pointer to create a 58-14 score entering the halftime break. 

Returning to the court, Melton tallied another to move the game 60-14 before Jones nailed a three-point shot to create a 49-point lead. Melton tallied a three-pointer to move the gap to 51 at 68-17, and the team saw this difference two additional times. Monmouth closed the quarter with shots from the free throw line to make a 74-31 score entering the final 10 minutes.

In the fourth quarter, Augie grabbed five points to push the gap back to 49 with a score of 80-31. The Scots began to make shots, but Giulia Milazzo notched a three to create an 88-38 game. Monmouth went on a short nine-point run, but the Vikings collected the final six to secure the 94-47 victory. 

Erickson led the team with 23 points, six rebounds, two assists, and three steals. Melton secured a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds, along with three assists. Jones secured 14 points, and Lewis finished the night with 12 points and eight rebounds. 

With the win, Augie begins the season with a 1-0 record and will be back in action on Nov. 21-22 to host the Hyatt Place Tournament.