From VCSU Athletics
MINOT, N.D. (VCSUAthletics.com) – The Valley City State women’s basketball team hit eight 3-pointers in the first half of Monday night’s exhibition game at Minot State, but it wasn’t enough as the Beavers pulled away with a 76-64 victory over the Vikings.
VCSU opened with a 22-11 advantage at the end of the first quarter, converting 15 points off eight Beaver turnovers in the first 10 minutes. Minot State inched closer in the second quarter and finished with a 7-0 run including a 3-pointer at the buzzer to hold a narrow 34-33 advantage at halftime.
Out of the locker room, the Vikings kept it close with 3’s from Taryn Dieterle and Ashlyn Diemert to lead 39-38. From there, Minot State began to pull away with a 10-0 run. Back-to-back layups from Dieterle allowed the Vikings to get within six points at 53-47 with just over a minute left in the third quarter, but Minot answered with six straight points to lead by double figures – a lead they would hold the rest of the way.
Monday’s game was an exhibition contest and will not count towards VCSU’s overall record. The Vikings (3-6) open conference play on Saturday at Dickinson State.
VCSU freshman Ashlyn Diemert posted her fourth straight game in double figures Monday with 18 points, including four 3-pointers to lead the Viking scoring. Taryn Dieterle added 16 points and nine rebounds, including five offensive boards.
Adriana Torres contributed 15 points, seven rebounds and three assists while Allie Critchley dished out a team-high five assists. Bayli Heap added seven rebounds off VCSU’s bench.
Valley City State shot 39 percent on field goals (26-67), 36 percent on 3-pointers (10-28) and 67 percent on free throws (2-3). Minot State shot 50 percent from the field (33-66), 25 percent from 3-point range (5-20), and 71 percent from the charity stripe (5-7).
Minot State held the rebounding advantage 41-33 and added eight steals as a team Monday.
Minot’s Amber Stevahn led the Beavers with 21 points and four assists Monday. Anna Counts added 19 points, nine rebounds, six assists and four blocks for the Beavers.
UP NEXT: Valley City State opens conference play on Saturday, Dec. 4 at Dickinson State. Women tip at 4 p.m. with the men to follow at 6 p.m. CST.