VALLEY CITY, N.D. (vcsuvikings.com) – 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.
(photos courtesy of VCSU Athletics/Hannah Anderson)