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CROSSE, WI (VCSUVikings.com)- On one of their longest conference road trips of the year Valley City State split their series with Viterbo University. The women fended off a late charge from The V-Hawks to win their 3rd in a row 62-57. The men struggled from the field shooting 39% in a 66-58 loss. Valley City State is back on the road next weekend with games at Bellevue University and Dakota State University.

WBB: VCSU 62  Viterbo 57

 Lexi Lennon scored a game-high 22 points as the short-handed Valley City State women’s basketball team picked up a 62-57 victory at Viterbo University Friday night.

VCSU traveled just seven players for the game due to injuries, but came away with their 18th victory of the season nonetheless.

The Vikings improve to 18-7 overall and 9-3 in conference play. Viterbo drops to 2-24 overall and 1-11 in conference play.

Lennon went 10-for-11 from the field as one of three Vikings in double figures. Georgia Williams added 13 points and Hannah Schlecht had 10 points and five rebounds. Nisja Bass and Sara Schwanke each scored six, and Kennedy Henningsgard added five points.

VCSU shot 56 percent from the field (24-43), 33 percent on 3’s (3-9) and 61 percent at the line (11-18). The Vikings committed 17 turnovers but forced 27 Viterbo turnovers in the game.

The V-Hawks shot 55 percent from the field (23-42), 50 percent on 3’s (7-14) and 57 percent at the line (4-7). Heidi Huebner hit five 3’s and led the V-Hawks with 15 points.

The Vikings led 28-22 at halftime and opened up a 46-33 lead after three quarters. Viterbo cut it to six in the fourth quarter, but got no closer until Huebner hit a late 3 in the closing seconds for the 62-57 final score.

MBB: Viterbo University  66 VCSU 58

Valley City State shot just 39 percent Friday night as the Viking men lost a road contest at Viterbo University, 66-58.

VCSU trailed 33-29 at halftime and was never able to get closer in the second half. VCSU drops to 14-12 overall and 6-6 in the North Star Athletic Association. Viterbo improves to 14-11 overall and 6-6 in conference play. The two teams are now tied for fifth in the NSAA standings with four games remaining.

Viterbo led from start to finish Friday night. The V-Hawks opened the second half with an 11-3 run to build a 44-32 lead to take control of the game. Viterbo led by as many as 15 points before the Vikings cut it to six points in the final minute.

Austin Dunbar had a season-high 19 rebounds and also scored 15 points for his ninth double-double of the season. Jason Ralph hit three 3’s and finished with 15 points for the Vikings. Rashad Satahoo had 12 points, Jayden Ferguson scored eight and Ellwood Ellenson added six points.

Ferguson, who entered the game second in the conference in scoring at 21.6 points per game, was held to just six shot attempts in the loss.

VCSU shot 39 percent from the field (19-49), 21 percent on 3’s (4-19) and 84 percent at the line (16-19). The Vikings committed 22 turnovers while the V-Hawks had just 13 turnovers.

Ethan Haberman led four V-Hawks in double figures with 17 points.

Viterbo shot 42 percent from the field (22-53), 35 percent on 3’s (7-20) and 71 percent on three throws (15-21).