VALLEY CITY, N.D. (vcsuvikings.com) – The Valley City State women’s basketball team couldn’t overcome University of Jamestown’s 10-0 start as they dropped a non-conference game to the Jimmies Monday, 68-56.
Jamestown surged to a 19-7 lead after the first 10 minutes of play Monday, capitalizing on 13 Viking turnovers forced by their full-court pressure. The Vikings then stepped up their defensive effort as the Jimmies shot just 15 percent in the second quarter. A pair three-pointers from Emma Nielsen and Alexis Bentz late in the second quarter brought the Vikings within six points of the Jimmies as they trailed 26-20 heading into the locker room.
Valley City State would get within three points on back-to-back buckets from Maara Nelson early in the third quarter but could not get closer through the second half. The Vikings would get within five points on a pair of free throws from Meredith Dumas with 5:58 left to play, but it wasn’t enough as the Jimmies secured the 68-56 victory.
Valley City State falls to 2-4 overall, while University of Jamestown improves to 9-4 on the season.
Valley City State shot 41 percent from the field (19-46), 26 percent on three-pointers (5-19), and 62 percent from the free throw line (13-21). Jamestown shot 36 percent from the field (25-69), 28 percent on three-pointers (7-25), and 73 percent on three throws (11-15).
Jamestown took 23 more shots than the Vikings Monday and converted 29 points off of 32 Viking turnovers. The Jimmies also held the rebounding advantage 34-32, including 15 offensive boards.
Dani Schwanke led the Vikings with 15 points, while Maara Nelson added 13 and Adriana Torres scored 10. Taryn Dieterle led the rebounding efforts with a team-high seven boards while Nelson, Torres, and Meredith Dumas each added six. Emma Nielsen and Allie Critchley each dished out three assists for the Vikings Monday.
Jamestown was led by Hannah DeMars who scored 21 points and pulled down a game-high nine rebounds. Kia Tower added 14 points for the Jimmies while Emma Stoehr added 10.
UP NEXT: Valley City State travels to Dakota State on Friday, Nov. 8, to resume conference play. The women are scheduled to tip at 5:30 p.m. with the men’s game to follow at 7:30 p.m.
Photo Courtesy Of VCSU Athletics/Hannah Anderson