
VALLEY CITY, ND (NewsDakota.com) The Viking women had Dakota State beat at Madison, SD in their first meeting in December. The Trojans rallied to deny the upset.
This time, the Vikings closed the deal.
Ashlyn Diemert scored 28 points as the Vikings built a 20-point lead early and did not let let it fall below eight in a 75-61 win over the Trojans, who entered the game ranked sixth in the nation.
Dakota State was 17-3 entering the game, 9-0 in NSAA play, and on a 15- game winning streak, while the Vikings had not beaten the Trojans in six years.
Abby Aslesen added 14 points, while Jaycee Richter knocked in 11 in the win. The Vikings earned their third win over a nationally-ranked team.
The Viking men struggled to rebound against a bigger, physical Dakota State Trojan men’s team in a 66-61 loss. The game was tied 60-60 with four minutes to go, and the Vikings were held without a field goal to finish.
Tyrel Creger backed up 21 points in the win over Bellevue Friday night with 15 to lead the Vikings.
The Trojans scored 34 of their 66 points in the paint, and scored 15 second chance points, out-rebiunding the Vikings 44-28.
The Viking women improve to 4-6 in league play, while the men fall to 2-8. Both teams host the University of Jamestown Friday.