SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- Augustana used a first-half run to gain momentum, then held off a second-half surge by the Mavericks to post an 81-66 win over the University of Nebraska at Omaha Wednesday night in the first round of the North Central Conference tournament.

The loss ended the Maverick season at 17-12. Augustana, 22-8, will advance to the NCC semifinal game against North Dakota Saturday afternoon.

Cayla Hargrove led the Mavericks with 14 points.

The Vikings broke open a close game in the first half. A three-point play by Jill Wolf and a three-pointer by Kamillia Brown pulled UNO within 14-13. But the Vikings then pulled away with a 25-6 scoring run and claimed a 47-29 lead at halftime.

Augustana continued its momentum, scoring the first seven points after the break, but UNO answered with a 21-8 run of its own to pull within 62-52 midway through the half. The Mavericks continued to chip away, knocking the lead down to 62-55 with 5:45 left.

But the Vikings' Whitney Hofer hit a key three-pointer and stopped the rally. Hofer finished with four threes and scored 20 points to share the team-lead with Amy Puthoff.