– VCSU Vikings Split With Waldorf, Saturday

Saturday

VCSU Women’s Bball

VALLEY CITY (VCSU) – Eight Vikings scored in Saturday’s home victory over Waldorf University, 76-54.

Four Vikings scored in double figures as freshman Taryn Dieterle led the way with 16 points off the bench. Dani Schwanke scored 13 points while Mackenzie Huber and Adriana Torres each added 10.

With 10 points Saturday, Mackenzie Huber moves into No. 11 on the VCSU career scoring list with 1233 career points, surpassing Jessica James who recorded 1226 career points.

Other Vikings scoring in Saturday’s game include Macey Kvilvang and Maara Nelson who each scored nine points, while Emily Schafer scored five and Allie Critchley added four.

Valley City State’s balanced offense tallied 20 assists, 10 steals, 46 points in the paint, and 30 bench points on Saturday. The Vikings also held the rebounding advantage, 42-33.

Valley City State improves to 11-11 on the season and 8-3 in the North Star Athletic Association. Valley City State has won 8 of their last 11 games and marks the first time the Vikings have reached .500 since their 2-2 record back on Nov. 3. Waldorf falls to 3-20 overall and 1-10 in the NSAA.

Valley City State shot 53 percent from the field (32-60), 36 percent on 3’s (4-11), and 89 percent from the free throw line (8-9). Waldorf shot 33 percent from the field (21-62), 26 percent on 3’s (5-19), and 58 percent from the free throw line (7-12).

The first three minutes of the game featured four lead changes until a layup from Mackenzie Huber with 7:03 on the clock gave the Vikings a lead they would build upon the rest of the way en route to the home victory.

A bucket from Torres with 7:33 on the clock in the second quarter sparked a 15-0 run for the Vikings as they held the Warriors scoreless for six straight minutes. Valley City State’s largest first-half lead came on a layup from Schwanke to close the half at 40-15.

A basket from Dieterle with 3:07 on the clock in the third quarter gave the Vikings a 35-point lead and their largest lead of the game. The Warriors could get no closer than 22 points as the Vikings sealed the home victory, 76-54.

Three Warriors scored in double firgues Saturday, led by Tina Lair-VanMeter who scored with 18 points and pulled down a team-high 11 rebounds. Morgan Straight scored 16 points while Ashley Schindele added 13.

UP NEXT: Valley City State travels to Bellevue and Dakota State next weekend for a pair of conference doubleheaders. The Vikings return home Friday, Feb. 21, to face Dickinson State at 5:30 p.m. when they will celebrate Senior Day.

Viking’s Men’s Basketball…

Waldorf University 82 VCSU 75

VALLEY CITY (VCSU) – Waldorf University took control with an 11-0 run late in the second half, and then held off a late Viking charge Saturday evening in North Star men’s basketball as the Warriors defeated Valley City State, 82-75.

With the game tied 59-59 at the 9:00 mark, the Vikings went into a four minute scoring drought, during which Waldorf put together an 11-0 run to build their biggest lead of the game at 70-59.

The Vikings trailed 74-64 with 3:30 to go before putting together a late run and giving themselves a chance. Kevin Schramm hit a 3-pointer to spark the Viking rally, and then Connor Entzi followed with a 3-pointer and a three-point play inside. VCSU’s 11-3 run was capped by a Jalen Addison driving layup, which trimmed the Viking deficit to just two points at 77-75 with 1:37 remaining.

Waldorf’s Quincy Minor followed with a driving layup on the other end to make it a two-possession game. The Vikings could get no closer as Waldorf scored the final three points at the free throw line for the 82-75 victory. Waldorf’s Demitrius Martin led all scorers with 35 points. At one point in the second half, Martin scored 17 straight points for the Warriors.

Valley City State drops to 8-17 overall and 4-7 in the NSAA. Waldorf improves to 9-15 overall and 6-5 in the North Star.

Connor Entzi led the Vikings with 22 points, including the first 12 of the game for VCSU. Entzi battled foul trouble throughout the night and was limited to 19 minutes and 31 seconds of playing time before fouling out late. Kevin Schramm posted a double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Logan Nelson added 13 points, and Jalen Addison finished with 11 points and six rebounds off the bench.

Martin’s 35 points for Waldorf came on 13-for-21 shooting. He make three 3’s and also grabbed seven rebounds. Center Gabriel Munoz finished with 15 points and seven rebounds, and Brady Kuchinka added 13 points for Waldorf.

Both teams took care of the ball, combining for just 15 turnovers in the game (nine by VCSU).

VCSU shot 47 percent overall (27-58), 33 percent on 3’s (7-21) and 74 percent at the line (14-19). Waldorf finished the game shooting 49 percent overall (28-57), 33 percent on 3’s (7-21) and 79 percent on free throws (19-24).

The two teams have now split the season series as Valley City State defeated Waldorf University 91-79 in the first conference meeting back on Jan. 17 in Forest City, Iowa.

Up next: Valley City State is on the road next weekend for games at Bellevue University (Friday) and Dakota State University (Saturday). Waldorf University is back at home next weekend hosting Presentation College (Friday) and Mayville State (Saturday).