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(NewsDakota.com) – Junior post Madison Walford led Devils Lake with 21 points as the Firebirds eliminated Valley City 69-55 on Friday afternoon in the East Region tournament at the Fargo Civic. The Hi-Liners season ends with a 12-10 record.

Walford showed a nice mid-range shooting touch in the first half, leading Devils Lake with 14 first-half points. For the second straight game, the Hi-Liners were doomed by a slow start. Devils Lake scored the game’s first six points and never trailed. Valley City’s first field goal didn’t come until nearly six minutes into the game on a 3-pointer from Dierra Diegel. The Firebirds led 36-22 at half despite foul trouble. The Hi-Liners couldn’t take advantage, going only 5-13 from the free-throw line in the half. Valley City never got the deficit below 14 points in the 2nd half.

Valley City shot 40% from the floor (21-52), and only 10-23 from the foul line. Devils Lake was 42% from the field (25-59), and 67% (16-24) from the foul line. Dierra Diegel had a solid game for Hi-Liners with 22 points, four rebounds, and three steals in a losing effort. Clarissa Olson added 13 points.

Devils Lake faces Red River in a state-qualifier on Saturday morning at 11:30 at the Bison Sports Arena in Fargo.