VALLEY CITY (vcsuvikings.com) – The Valley City State women’s basketball team defeated Dickinson State in the regular season finale, 75-53.
Three seniors were recognized Friday night in celebration of Senior Day. Mackenzie Huber scored 18 points while Emily Schafer added eight for the Vikings. Annie Swenson, who has spent most of this year serving as a student assistant, made her first game appearance of the season Friday night. Her 3-pointer with 3:59 to go found the crowd on their feet in celebration.
Valley City State finishes the regular season with a 12-13 overall record and a 9-5 record in the North Star Athletic Association. Dickinson State falls to 8-19 overall and 4-10 in the NSAA.
Valley City shot 48 percent from the field (26-54), 13 percent on 3’s (2-15), and 88 percent from the free throw line (21-24). Dickinson State shot 37 percent from the field (23-63) and 29 percent on 3’s (7-24). Valley City State also held the rebounding advantage, 42-25.
The Vikings shot just 37 percent in the first half and allowed the Blue Hawks to lead by as much as 10 points early on in Friday night’s conference matchup. The Vikings trailed 35-29 at halftime.
Coming out of the locker room, Valley City State scored the first eight straight points to claim their first lead of the game on a layup from Macey Kvilvang with 7:50 on the clock. The Vikings shot 63 percent in the second half and led by as much as 24 points en route to the 75-53 home victory.
The Vikings had four players score in double figures in Friday night’s win. In addition to Huber’s 18 points, she also pulled down six rebounds, and dished out a team-high six assists for the Vikings. Dani Schwanke added 15 points, while Taryn Dieterle and Macey Kvilvang each added 12. Maara Nelson pulled down a team-high 10 rebounds on Friday.
Dickinson State’s Ashlie Larson led all scorers with 19 points. Shali Sheridan added seven points and pulled down a team-high four rebounds for the Blue Hawks.
UP NEXT: Valley City State will host the first round of the NSAA playoffs as the No. 4 seed. The Vikings face No. 5 Viterbo on Wednesday, Feb. 26, at 6 p.m.
