SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - The Augustana University women's basketball team opened the 2016-17 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference season with a 79-73 victory over Wayne State.

Augustana got it going early in first-quarter as sophomore center Shelby Selland opened the game with the Vikings first triple. Wayne State quickly got back to within one, before the Vikings extended their lead to seven midway through the quarter. The two teams stayed within just a few points of each other the rest of the way with Augustana going into the second with a 25-21 lead.

Augustana was able to hold onto their lead for the first few minutes of the quarter until the Wildcats tied the game 29, and took their first lead on a three-pointer to makes it 32-19. The Vikings didn't trail for long as free throws by Logan O'Farrell and a triple by Sydney Rome flipped the script. Wayne though ended the quarter on  6-0 run to go into the break with a 38-35 lead.

The Vikings opened the third quarter with nine straight points to grab a quick 6-point lead in the third. Just like the first half, neither team was able to pull away as the Wildcats were able to cut the deficit to just one. The pressure by Wayne State didn't phase the Vikings. Augustana was able to extend their lead to seven, and went into the fourth-quarter with a 57-52 lead.

After two early ties to begin the final frame, Augustana took a 62-59 lead. Wayne State hit a triple to tie the game one last time at 62 before the Vikings began to put it away. Augustana went on a 7-0 run to make it 72-64 before closing out the game by a score of 79-73.

Viking of the Game
Sydney Rome had a career game Monday night, setting a new career mark in scoring with 23-points. Rome was 7-of-10 from the field and 5-for-8 from behind the arc. She was perfect at the charity stripe going 4-for-4. She also hauled in six boards, got two steals and two assists.

Viking Notables
• Rome set a career-high with 23-points
• For the first time since Dec. 13, 2014 Augustana had two different players reach at least 20-points
• Augustana now leads the all-time series 20-15
• For the second straight season the Vikings open NSIC play with a victory over Wayne State at home
• Four Vikings reached double-digits in points: Rome (23), Logan O'Farrell (22), Lynsey Prosser (12) and Paige Peterson (11)
• Peterson led the team in rebounds with seven
• The Vikings shot 42 percent from behind the arc

Up Next
Augustana will be back in action on Black Friday at 2 p.m. as they host Peru State at the Elmen Center.