ROCK ISLAND -- The Augustana Vikings women's basketball team fell to the Millikin Big Blue on Saturday by a score of 59-51.

In a low-scoring opening quarter, both teams went back-and-forth with shots until four points moved Millikin to an early lead. Kadence Tatum closed the gap to two with 51 seconds remaining, but the Big Blue put up a layup to make a score of 10-6 after 10 minutes of play. 

In the second, Augie got within two twice in the first 30 seconds of play. Millikin stretched the gap to 10 after a 10-2 run at 6:04. Audrey Erickson snatched a buzzer-beater layup to close the first half with the Big Blue leading 35-23 into halftime. 

Returning to the court, the Vikings outscored Millikin 15-11, with seven of their points coming from the free throw line. At 3:42, Augie started a seven-point run to create the smallest gap of eight with a score of 45-37. Cali Papez closed the quarter with a good free throw to make a 46-38 score heading into the final frame. 

Paige Melton kicked off the fourth quarter with three points to get within five. The Big Blue pulled back out to a 10-point differential with Augie closing the gap to seven three times. An extra point by Melton closed the contest with an eight-point gap. 

Erickson led the team with 16 points, eight rebounds, and three assists. Melton followed with 11 points and seven rebounds, while Papez grabbed eight shots off the glass. 

With the loss, Augie moves to 9-13 on the season and 5-8 in conference play. The Vikings will return to action on Wednesday, February 12 for a midweek clash at Wheaton.