ROCK ISLAND -- The Augustana Vikings men's basketball team picked up its first postseason game since 2021 on Tuesday, defeating the Elmhurst Bluejays in the CCIW quarterfinals by a score of 92-78.

After a minute of scoreless basketball, Evan Ambrose notched the game's first points to put Augie in front, but the team was met by six straight from the visitors. An Ambrose three halted the scoring run and started an 11-0 scoring spurt that saw baskets by four different players. The game of runs continued, with Elmhurst answering with seven of the next nine points scored to pull back within two at 15-13. The two-point margin proved to be the thinnest the rest of the half, seeing the margin stretch out to double figures on multiple occasions. Augie saw its cushion reach as many as 13 following a Staishaun Kelley jumper around the six-minute mark before a pair of free throws by him moved it to 14 with one minute remaining. Kelley answered a made three from Elmhurst with a driving layup in the closing seconds to give Augustana a 40-27 lead at the halftime break.  The Vikings hit nearly 50 percent of their looks through the first 20 minutes of action, while holding the visitors to just 31 percent overall. Kelley led the way after one half with 14 points, while Matt Hawkins had eight of his 11 points in the first.

Dani Romero's layup on the opening possession of the second half for the Vikings gave the team their largest lead of the game for the time being before reaching a differential of as many as 19 four different times. Elmhurst managed to shrink the margin under 10 once around the 11-minute mark, but Augie responded with a 10-4 outburst to push it back out to a 15-point game at 61-46. The Vikings got to the free throw line effectively throughout the final 20 minutes and hit 17 of their 20 looks, which included a 7-8 effort from Kelley in the period. The junior guard accounted for nine of the team's final 12 points to help lead the team to the double-digit win.

The Vikings' 92 points were the second-most they have scored in a conference game this season and the third straight contest putting up 80 or more. Augie ended Tuesday night shooting 46.3 percent from the field and was fueled by Kelley's career-high 29 points on 9-16 shooting. Ray Maurchie was next in line with 16 points and six rebounds, while reigning CCIW Player of the Week Tyler Knuth added 12.

With the win, Augustana improves to 17-9 on the year. The team will take on No. 16 ranked Illinois Wesleyan in the CCIW Tournament semifinals on Friday in Kenosha, Wis.