SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- The Augustana Vikings women's basketball team's hot start propelled them to a win in the first round of the NSIC Tournament. The No. 3 seeded Augustana Vikings defeated the No. 6 seeded Northern State Wolves 80-64 on Wednesday night.

Augustana now advances to the quarterfinals to play Minnesota Duluth on Saturday, March 2 at 8 p.m. at the Sanford Pentagon.

The Vikings started the game on a 10-2 run that included back-to-back buckets from Hana Metoxen to force a timeout by the Wolves early on in the game. In the first quarter, Lynsey Prosser went a perfect 4-of-4 from the field and helped Augustana build an early 23-13 lead after the first quarter.

In the second quarter, the Vikings struggled after starting the game hot from the field. They shot 5-of-17 from the field while Northern State shot 9-of-16. The Wolves brought the once 10-point lead down to just three points until a Janelle Shiffler 3-pointer brought the lead back to a two-possession game, 40-34 at halftime.

After a back and forth first half, Augustana turned up the heat inside the Sioux Falls Arena. They started the second half on a 20-5 run and shot 8-of-11 from the field during the run. The Vikings defense caused fits for the Wolves forcing five turnovers over the span of the run. Overall, Augustana outscored Northern State 22-9 in the third quarter to lead 62-43 going into the final quarter.

The Vikings kept a comfortable lead throughout the final quarter of play to come away with the win. Augustana led from start to finish and had their largest lead at 25 points in the fourth quarter.

Prosser went for 27 points on 10-of-18 shooting and 5-of-6 from deep on the night. The senior also dished out six assists and had three steals in the game. Shelby Selland chipped in with a double-double, 19 points and 11 rebounds while freshman Vishe' Rabbe finished with 13 points.

The Vikings forced 17 turnovers on 10 steals for 25 points off turnovers compared to the Wolves eight. Augustana shot 43.8 percent from the field, 41.4 percent from deep and went 85.7 percent from the charity stripe.

Augustana in the Postseason:
• Just a season ago, for the first time in program history, Augustana was the NSIC regular season champions.
• The Vikings are the 2018 NSIC Tournament defending champions.
• Last season, Logan O'Farrell won NSIC Tournament MVP.
• Augustana is 19-8 in the NSIC Tournament all time.
• Since the Vikings joined the NSIC in 2008, they have only had one first-round exit.