At Sioux Falls, SD

NAIA Classic

Women’s Basketball

VCSU 67 Mt. Marty 63

Box Score

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (VCSU) – The Valley City State women’s basketball team totaled 12 3-pointers in a Sunday afternoon 67-63 victory over Mount Marty at the NAIA Basketball Classic.

Taryn Dieterle and Hailey Roberts led the effort with three 3’s each. Dieterle totaled 15 points to lead the Vikings while Roberts finished with 11 points, all in the first half. Valley City State improves to 4-1 on the season while Mount Marty drops to 2-2 overall.

After trailing 12-8 at the end of the first quarter, VCSU stepped up with a 17-6 run over the first six minutes of the second quarter to build a 25-18 lead.

Mount Marty opened the second half with a 10-3 run, halted by a 3-pointer from Allie Critchley to tie the game at 38-38. VCSU finished the third quarter on a 15-4 run including additional 3’s from Madison Spacher and Adriana Torres. The Lancers would close the gap to trail 62-58 with 1:56 left in the game, but the Vikings held on for the win.

VCSU shot 38 percent from the field Sunday (24-63), 34 percent from 3-point range (12-35) and 70 percent on free throws (7-10). Mount Marty shot 41 percent on field goals (22-54), 33 percent on 3-pointers (4-12) and 83 percent from the free throw line (15-18).

VCSU held the rebounding advantage 42-30, including 14 on the offensive glass. The Vikings also totaled 16 assists and eight steals while Mount Marty tallied nine assists and 14 steals in the game.

Ten Vikings scored at least a point in Sunday’s victory, led by Dieterle’s 15 points and nine rebounds. Katie Johnson and Allie Critchley each finished with nine points and three assists for VCSU.

Adriana Torres chipped in seven points and dished a team-best four assists, and Ashlyn Diemert and Allie Negen each scored five points for the Vikings.

Mount Marty’s Eve Millar scored a game-high 20 points Sunday while Kaity Hove chipped in 13 points and grabbed eight rebounds. Millar, Abbie Jennings and Emma Jarovski each recorded three steals Sunday.

UP NEXT: VCSU travels to Bemidji State University for an exhibition game on Friday, Nov. 11. Tip is slated for 6 p.m. in Bemidji, Minn.

Men’s Basketball

Mount Marty 89 VCSU 82

Box Score

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (UJ) – A late rally fell short Sunday afternoon as the Valley City State men’s basketball team finished its weekend with a 1-1 record during the NAIA Basketball Classic at the Sioux Falls Sanford Pentagon.

The Vikings trimmed an 11-point second-half deficit to just three points late in the game Sunday, but could not complete the comeback as Mount Marty University held on for an 89-82 win over the Vikings.

Valley City State ends the tournament with a 1-1 record, scoring a come-from-behind win over Dakota Wesleyan on Saturday before dropping Sunday’s game. Valley City State now has a 3-2 overall record through the first two weeks of the season.

VCSU and Mount Marty combined for 103 points in the first half Sunday, making 17 total 3’s as Mount Marty took a 53-50 lead into the locker room. The Lancers led by as many as 11 points in the second half, taking a 78-67 lead with 4:46 remaining. The Vikings mounted a quick 9-1 run – capped by back-to-back baskets by Joseph Owens – to get within 79-76 with 2 minutes to go. Mount Marty would seal the game at the free throw line though, sinking 10 foul shots in final 100 seconds.

Owens shot 9-for-13 from the field and poured in a game-high 23 points to lead VCSU’s offensive attack. Owens also pulled down seven rebounds. Daevonte Munson had 18 points and six rebounds for the Vikings, and Duoth Gach finished with 12 points and eight rebounds. Point guard Cayden Rickard totaled four points, and team-highs of four steals and four assists.

Valley City State shot 43 percent overall (31-72), 27 percent on 3’s (9-33) and 73 percent at the line (11-15). Mount Marty shot 50 percent from the field (29-58), 41 percent on 3’s (11-27) and 74 percent on free throws (20-27).

VCSU forced 16 turnovers while turning it over 15 times. The Vikings held a 41-34 rebounding advantage, including a 12-4 edge on the offensive glass.

Up next: Valley City State is back in action on Saturday, Nov. 12, as the Vikings host rival University of Jamestown. The Jimmies are ranked No. 9 in the NAIA Preseason Coaches’ Poll. Tip off for Saturday’s game in Valley City has been changed to 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased ahead of time at www.vcsuvikings.com/tickets.