SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Augustana University utilized an 18-1 run in the first half as they defeated the University of Minnesota Crookston women's basketball team 86-54 Sat., Dec. 15 at Sioux Falls Arena in Sioux Falls, S.D. The Vikings were led by the play of their senior post Shelby Selland, who had a double-double of 27 points and 14 rebounds. The Golden Eagles struggled from the field on the day as they hit just 37.3 percent of their shots. In addition, they were forced into 22 turnovers on the afternoon.

Minnesota Crookston falls to 7-3 (2-2 NSIC) with Saturday's loss to the nation's No. 14 team in the D2SIDA poll. Augustana moved to 11-1 (4-0 NSIC) with the win. The Golden Eagles are on their best start since the 2015-16 season, which was the best season in program history for Minnesota Crookston.

The Golden Eagles were led by Isieoma Odor (R-Sr., F/C, Bloomington, Minn.), who finished with 12 points and six rebounds. Kylea Praska (Fr., G, Thief River Falls, Minn.) came off the bench for the best game of her young career as she had 11 points, including going 3-of-3 from beyond the arc. Kylie Post (Fr., G, Corcoran, Minn.) added 10 points, eight rebounds, and four assists.

Minnesota Crookston shot 23-of-62 for 37.1 percent. The Golden Eagles were 6-of-19 for 31.6 percent. The Golden Eagles were out-rebounded 47-38 on the day. They had just 14 assists to 22 turnovers on the game.

Augustana was led by Selland, who was 10-of-16 from the field, including 4-of-7 from behind the three-point line. Lynsey Prosser added 13 points, five rebounds, and four assists. Vishe' Rabb came off the bench for 15 points. Abby Hora added nine points.

The Vikings were 34-of-77 from the field for 44.2 percent Augustana hit 9-of-21 attempts from beyond the arc for 42.9 percent. In addition, the Vikings were 9-of-12 from the stripe. They had 21 assists to just 11 turnovers on the game.

The Vikings jumped out to a 5-2 lead on a Selland triple. Minnesota Crookston cut the deficit to 5-4 on an Odor bucket. Augustana scored the next five points culminating with a Janelle Shiffler old-fashioned three-point play to extend the lead to 10-4.

Minnesota Crookston snapped a four-minute scoreless stint with a Post bucket to cut the lead to 10-6. The Vikings were able to go on a 10-1 run as they took the 20-7 lead on a Selland trey from the wing with 35 seconds remaining in the first quarter.

Augustana extended their run to 18-1 early in the second quarter with three pointers from Hora and Prosser, and a basket from Selland as they extended the lead to 28-7. Stephanie McWilliams (Jr., G, Grand Forks, N.D.) finally halted the run as she hit a jumper to cut the deficit to 28-9. A Hora hoop pushed the lead back out to 30-9 for the Vikings with 6:47 remaining in the second half.

Minnesota Crookston finally made their move in the stanza as Michaelis and Ashley Freund (So., G/F, Jordan, Minn.) drained back-to-back treys to cut the deficit to 30-15 with 5:57 remaining in the quarter. A Selland trey and a Shillfer jumper pushed the advantage out to 35-15 for Augustana.

Post then spearheaded a run for the Golden Eagles with back-to-back baskets to cut the lead to 35-19.  Abby Guidinger (So., G/F, Waukesha, Wis.) then drained an opportune jumper to cut the lead down to 35-21. The Golden Eagles went into the locker room trailing 41-26 but they were able to make up substantial ground after trailing by 21 early in the second stanza.

Minnesota Crookston shot 11-of-32 from the field for 34.4 percent paced by six points and five boards from Post. Odor added five points and four boards, while Guidinger notched five points and three rebounds.

The Golden Eagles were 3-of-11 from beyond the arc for 27.3 percent. Minnesota Crookston had nine turnovers in the first half.

Augustana shot 15-of-43 for the half for 34.9 percent. The Vikings shot 7-of-16 for 43.8 percent as their three-point shooting guided the way in the first half. In addition, Augustana out-rebounded Minnesota Crookston 41-26 in the opening frame.

Selland paced Augie with a double-double of 15 points and 12 boards. Rabb added eight points for the Vikings.

Augustana was efficient as they had 12 assists to just four turnovers in the first half.

Odor and Selland, the two squad's top post players, traded a pair of baskets early in the third quarter. The Vikings used a pair of baskets from Rabb and one from Prosser to extend the lead to 56-35 with 4:19 left in the third quarter.  Augustana moved their lead to 62-37 with baskets from Selland and Hay late in the third stanza.

The Vikings would use their strong play through the first three quarters to take the 86-54 win over Minnesota Crookston as they would be unable to make up the ground on Augustana.

The Golden Eagles return to action at 12:30 p.m. Sun., Dec. 16 at Wayne State College (Neb.).