ROCK ISLAND -- The Augustana Vikings women's basketball team defeated the Millikin Big Blue on Saturday by a score of 63-54. 

In the opening quarter, the Vikings quickly grabbed the lead after an eight-point run in the first three minutes. The Vikings saw this difference again after a jump shot by Cali Papez to make a 10-2 score. Augie created the largest gap so far of 18 after 11 straight points to put the Vikings ahead 21-3 after 10 minutes of action. 

The teams traded shots in the second quarter, with four consecutive points by Augie creating a 19-point difference with 3:58 on the clock. Both teams went back-and-forth with points once more, with a buzzer-beater three-pointer in the corner by Tia Lewis putting the Vikings ahead 34-15 entering the halftime break. 

Returning to the court, a jump shot by Paige Melton pushed Augie's advantage to 21. The Big Blue converted a seven-point run to get within 11, but the Vikings followed with three points at the free throw line. A three-point shot by Jazmeriah Jones moved the score to 45-30 with a little under two minutes remaining. Both of the teams' points came from the charity line, with Melton knocking down the late one to lead 48-36 heading into the final quarter.

In the fourth quarter, Millikin squashed the gap to 10 for the first time since the first quarter after four consecutive points at 50-40. The Vikings followed with seven straight points with a free throw by Papez, closing the run with a score of 57-40. The Big Blue put up the next seven points to get under double-digits with 2:51 on the clock before grabbing the lowest difference of eight at 2:04. The teams traded points, with all of Augie's shots coming from the free throw line. Millikin had the final chance at the stripe, but the Vikings maintained the 63-54 lead. 

Three different Vikings scored double-digits in the win, with Papez and Erickson leading with 15. Papez also had eight rebounds, while Jones, Erickson, and Lewis had two assists. 

With the win, Augie improves to 7-5 on the season and will return to action on Wednesday, Jan. 7, to host North Central.