DECATUR, Ill. -- The Augustana Vikings women's basketball team secured its first conference win on Saturday with a big win over the Millikin Big Blue with a score of 76-37. 

The Vikings kicked off the game with a big opening quarter, outscoring Millikin 19-9. Audrey Erickson started a 10-point run while holding the Big Blue scoreless for six minutes. The home team found its first points at 4:20, but Cali Papez followed with two successful shots at the free throw line to make a 12-3 score. Carly Stone moved the gap to 10 once more with a three-point shot off a pass by Erickson at 15-5. Tia Lewis stretched the difference to 12 after a layup from Kadence Tatum with 1:43 remaining. Millikin closed the advantage to 10 before a step back jump shot by Lewis made the 12-point lead once more. The Big Blue closed the quarter with a driving layup, but Augie led 19-9 after 10 minutes of play.

In the second, the team saw a 12-point difference after a jumper by Lewis nine seconds into the quarter. The Vikings collected six more points of layups by Erickson, Jazmeriah Jones, and Ciara Hull to create a 27-11 score. A pair of shots at the charity line by Paigme Melton moved the gap to as much as 15 with 1:38 left in the first half. Millikin closed the quarter with a 5-1 margin, but Augie led by 11 with a 30-19 score.

Returning to action, the Big Blue put up four points, but the Vikings followed with eight of their own to move the difference back to 15 at 38-23. With 4:08 on the clock, Augustana converted a 15-point run with Jones putting up the final three points to create the largest gap so far of 25 with a 51-26 score. 

In the fourth quarter, Jones continued her scoring streak with a driving layup to run away with a 27-point difference. Cali Papez followed with three of her own with a hook shot at 7:44, moving the advantage to 30 with 7:44 left in the game. Augie created an 11-3 margin at 4:43 with Erickson knocking down a three-point shot to lead by 36 points. After three scoreless minutes, the teams went back and forth with successful shots before Sophia Klacik closed the game with a three-pointer off a pass by Giulia Milazzo. 

11 Vikings scored in the victory, with Lewis leading with a double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds, along with two blocks. Erickson followed with 12 points and three assists.

With the win, Augie improves to 4-3 on the season and 1-1 in CCIW play. The Vikings be back in action on Tuesday, Dec. 16, to battle Coe.