HILO, HAWAII (VCSU) – The Valley City State women’s basketball team fought hard in the fourth quarter but fell just short in Monday’s game to Morningside University, 73-66.

The Vikings closed an 11-point fourth quarter gap to just three points on a JayCee Richter 3-pointer with 2:21 remaining but could not upend the Mustangs.

VCSU finished the Big Island Classic with an 0-2 record and falls to 8-5 overall. Morningside went 2-0 in Hawaii and improves to 7-5 on the season.

The Mustangs opened Monday’s game strong but the Vikings used an 11-2 run to hold an 18-18 tie at the end of the first quarter. Morningside then outscored VCSU 19-12 in the second quarter to hold a comfortable 37-30 advantage at the break.

The Vikings erased a 12-point gap to three points in the third quarter, and an 11-point gap to three points in the fourth, but could not complete the comeback on Monday.

VCSU scored 42 bench points Monday with big contributions from Ashlyn Diemert who scored 14 points, JayCee Richter who finished with 10, and Allie Negen who chipped in nine. Negen also grabbed team-best eight rebounds Monday.

VCSU shot 36 percent on field goals (22-61), 21 percent on 3-pointers (6-29) – including four 3’s in the fourth quarter – and 58 percent on free throws (14-24). Morningside shot 41 percent overall (28-69), 36 percent on 3’s (5-14) and 55 percent from the line (12-22).

The Vikings held a 47-42 rebounding advantage including 17 offensive boards and 16 second chance points. Morningside totaled 32 points off 23 Viking turnovers Monday.

Morningside’s Sophia Peppers scored 16 points to lead all scorers and Chloe Lofstrom grabbed nine rebounds.

UP NEXT: The VCSU women will host the University of Jamestown on Dec. 30 at the Bubble. Tip is scheduled for 6 p.m.