DICKINSON, ND  (NewsDakota.com, photo courtsey of Zachary Lucy Photography, LLC via VCSUVikings.com)  Valley City State gained a runaway win in womens play, while the men fell in an extra session, Friday night in Dickinson.

The Viking women stretched a tight third quarter lead into a 21-point win behind overwhelming fourth quarter defense in an 85-64 win, while the Vikings ralled from a 14-point hole, only to lose their leading scorer on a timing issue with six minutes left, dropping a game in overtime 80-74.

Ashlyn Diemert scored 29 points to lead the Vikings once again in womens play, while Agwa Nywesh had a coming out party for the Viking men, scoring 32 points in his best game as a Viking.

The Viking women ran away with the fourth quarter, taking a two-point game to a 20-point lead by holding Dickinson State without a field goal for the first 6:25 of the fourth quarter.

Diemert continued to do damage offensively, hitting five more three-point shots.  She has hit 18 three-pointers in her last three games.

Hailey Roberts added 22, including 7-8 from the foul line, a perfect 6-6 in the third quarter.  The Viking defense forced 24 Bluehawk turnovers, and held Dickinson State to 36% shooting in the second half, 1-7 from the three-point line.

Diemert was again Ivy Real Estate Group Player of the Game with her 29-point night.

In mens play, it took a furious first-half effort for the Vikings to stay viable.

After falling behind 20-6, Valley City State switched back to their traditional 1-3-1 zone, and exploaded out to a 26-8 run to take a four-point lead, leading 34-30 at halftime.

Dickinson State shot just 36.4% on their home floor in the first half.  Nywesh hit two crucial and-one three-point plays to tie the game cut the lead to three, and Cayden Rickard splashed a transition three that completed the comeback, tying the game at 25-25 before the Vikings took the lead.

The Vikings took a setback when Cleveland Bedgood drew a fourth foul and was not subbed out of the game on time, then committed a fifth a play later, forcing their leading scorer to the bench.  Dickinson State would tie the game, and the game entered the final minute tied 66-66.

A turnover by the Vikings on a Lamar Grayson drive would give the Bluehawks the ball with 10 seconds left.  Kose Egbule drove to the basket, but Odier Olange blocked his shot, and the game would to go overtime.

Bluehawk John Evans hit an early three in the extra frame, followed by Cordell Stinson’s three that delivered a two-possession lead, and a deep three by Trey Stevens would begin sealing the win for the Bluehawks, giving them a 75-68 lead with 1:27 left.

Evans scored 20 of his 25 after halftime to lead the Bluehawks.

The Viking women are now 8-10 overall, 2-2 in NSAA league play.  The men fall to 9-9, 1-3 in league play.  Both teams play at Viterbo, WI Friday.