WATERTOWN, S.D. – (vcsuvikings.com) The Valley City State University women’s basketball team opened up a big first quarter lead Monday night but could not hold it as the Vikings fell in their first road game of the season against Mount Marty College.

The Vikings burst out of the gates with a 23-point first quarter, but Mount Marty took a 31-30 halftime lead and then pulled away in the fourth quarter for a 59-46 victory.

Valley City State drops to 0-1 on the season. Mount Marty improves to 2-0. The game was played in Watertown, S.D., where Mount Marty has a satellite campus.

After falling behind 6-2 early, the Vikings ripped off a 21-8 run over the final 7:10 of the first quarter. Mackenzie Huber scored eight points in the quarter to spark the Vikings to a 23-14 advantage.

Mount Marty outscored the Vikings 17-7 in the second quarter to take a 31-30 halftime lead. The teams played nearly even in the third quarter as Mount Marty held a 44-42 lead entering the fourth quarter. The final period belonged to the Lancers as they pulled away with a 15-2 run en route to the victory.

Valley City State shot 30 percent from the field (17-56) and 92 percent on free throws (11-12). The Vikings made just one 3-pointer, going 1-for-15 from beyond the arc. Mount Marty shot 34 percent overall (23-68), 21 percent on 3’s (6-28) and 54 percent at the line (7-13).

Huber posted 11 points and eight rebounds for VCSU, while Maara Nelso had eight points and 11 rebounds. Adrianna Torres scored seven points and pulled down five rebounds, and both Gabby Martin and Breanna Price had six points.

The Vikings were hampered by 19 turnovers compared to just nine giveaways by the Lancers.

Ali Kuca led Mount Marty with 19 points on five 3-pointers. Karlee McKinney scored 18 points.

Up next: Valley City State will play another road game at No. 7-ranked Dakota Wesleyan University on Wednesday night. Tip off is set for 6 p.m. in Mitchell, S.D.