Friday…
NAIA Women’s Basketball
(VCSU) – All five starters scored in double figures Friday night for the Viking women’s basketball team as they poured in a season-high 95 points to sink the No. 16 team in the country.Valley City State started fast, opening up a 22-6 lead over Mayville State midway through the first quarter. The Comets could never fully recover and the undefeated Vikings led the rest of the way for the 95-84 victory.
The Vikings improve to 9-0 overall and 2-0 in the North Star Athletic Association after the conference victory. Mayville State, which is ranked No. 16 in the NAIA Top 25 Poll, drops to 8-3 overall and 1-2 in the NSAA.
Valley City State University led by as many as 17 points in the first quarter, 25-8, and held a 34-19 lead after the quarter. The Comets closed to within five points late in the second quarter before VCSU took a 49-41 lead into the locker room. The teams played nearly even in the third quarter and the Vikings held a 73-64 lead heading to the fourth.
Mayville State would again battle to within five points late in the game at 81-76, but Valley City State put the game away with a quick 8-0 spurt that included back-to-back 3’s by Kennedy Henningsgard and Kate Williams.
Valley City State shot 56 percent in the game, going 35-for-63 from the field. The Vikings finished at 41 percent on 3’s (9-22) and 73 percent at the line (16-22). Mayville State shot 48 percent overall (28-58), 27 percent on 3’s (8-30) and 87 percent on free throws (20-23).
VCSU held a slim 30-28 advantage on the glass. Mayville State committed 24 turnovers, compared to 18 by VCSU. The Vikings recorded assists on 21 of their 35 made shots.
Viking senior Lexi Lennon led all scorers with 25 points and added five rebounds and six assists. Henningsgard poured in 18 points; Alli Vandal added 15 points and five rebounds; Mackenzie Huber posted 11 points and six rebounds; and Kate Williams added 10 points and six steals. Guard Hannah Schlecht had a strong game off the bench with eight points and six assists.
Mayville State was led by 24 points from Naomi Torgerson. The Comets had five players reach double figures as well. Andi Gayner scored 18 and both Karleigh Weber and Kylee Heurung posted 13 points.
Up next: Valley City State (9-0, 2-0 NSAA) hosts Waldorf University on Saturday at 11 a.m. Mayville State travels to Dickinson State on Saturday.
VCSU is now 9-0 overall and 2-0 in the NSAA.
Mayville State is now 8-3 overall and 1-2 in the NSAA.
NAIA Men’s Basketball
VCSU The Mayville State Comets started off hot leading early by over ten points, and never trailed as they defeated the Valley City State men’s basketball team 74-65.The Valley City State Vikings tried to battle back cutting their deficit to two points, 33-31, at half time. The second half was well fought on both sides but the Vikings were unable to overcome 17 turnovers and poor shooting.
Mayville state improves to 7-2 overall and 3-0 in the NSAA. Valley City State drops to 4-8 overall and 0-2 in the North Star Athletic Association.
The Vikings leading scorer on the day was Jayden Ferguson who scored 19 points. Austin Dunbar added 11 of his own. Valley City shot 40 percent from the field going 24-59 overall, including 3-13 from behind the arch and 14-17 from the free throw line.
The Comets had three players scoring in double figures Friday with Gorg Alhag scoring 21 points and Daniel Lindgren and Eric Staebler adding 17 and 12 points, respectively. The Comets had a strong performance from behind the three-point arch in the second half going 4-6 from deep over the final 20 minutes.
VCSU drops to 4-8 overall and 0-2 in the NSAA.
Mayville State improves to 7-2 overall and 3-0 in the NSAA.
The Vikings on Saturday take on Waldorf University at 1 p.m. at the W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse.
