VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Valley City basketball started off the 2022 calendar year by welcoming their opponents from the NorthStar Conference, the Dakota State University Trojans. In the woman’s game DSU came away with the 73-40 victory. In the men’s game, the Vikings came so close to overcoming a 20-point halftime deficit, however the DSU Trojans hang on to win this one 86-78.

In the woman’s game Dakota State had their game going from the start. Right before the end of the second quarter, DSU’s Savannah Walsdorf hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to give her team the 35-24 lead at the break. The Vikings never lead in this game. Breanna Price had a strong start to the game for Valley City State, using her size to get points in the paint, she would finish with 11-points. With the loss, the Vikings record drops to 4-8 overall, and 1-1 in conference play. Next Up VCSU will host Bellevue on Saturday at 3PM, and that game can be heard on KOVC.

VCSU Leaders

Breanna Price 11 points 3 Rebounds

Taryn Dieterle 10 points 12 Rebounds

Adriana Torres 5 points 4 Rebounds

DSU Leaders

Shaylee DeBeer 13 points 6 Rebounds

Elsie Aslesen 12 points 2 Blocks

Savannah Walsdorf 12 points 8 Rebounds

 

In the men’s game, it was a first half to forget about for VCSU. The size advantage was a huge factor in the Trojans leading by 20-points at the break. DSU Freshman Ronnie Latting used all of his 6-8, 270LB frame and dominated in the paint. The Vikings didn’t have an answer for Latting, in the first half that is. In the second half, VCSU started hitting some shots and gaining momentum. Josh Kelly hit back to back 3-pointers midway through the second half and that was a big factor in closing the gap. The Vikings would battle back and pull within just 2 points of the Trojans, however in the Vikings final possession they would be stripped of the ball and the Trojan’s Lamarr Wood would recover and be fouled. At the line Wood made both of his free throws to put the game away. DSU wins this one 86-78. Next up for VCSU they will remain home on Saturday when they will continue conference play and take on Bellevue at 5PM. This game can also be heard on KOVC.

VCSU Leaders

Uhana Ochan 19 points 3 Rebounds

Duoth Gach 12 points 4 Rebounds

Josh Kelly 12 points 4 Rebounds

DSU Leaders

Max Nielson 21 points 2 Rebounds

Ronnie Latting 20 points 10 Rebounds

Lamarr Wood 16 points 6 Rebounds