DEVILS LAKE, N.D. – In a battle of top-five Class A teams, the Valley City Hi-Liners avenged an early-season loss by defeating defending state champion Devils Lake 64-56 on Tuesday night.

The game opened at a fast pace, with both teams trading baskets. Devils Lake junior Presley Brown led the Firebirds with eight first-quarter points, while Valley City junior Maddie Anderson responded with a strong start after being held scoreless in the previous matchup.

Trailing by a slim margin after the first quarter, Valley City took control in the second behind a key bench performance from Kadie Kocka, who scored six points in the frame. Sophomore Katie Burchill anchored the Hi-Liners inside, providing much-needed rebounding and scoring as Valley City carried a 32-26 lead into halftime.

The third quarter saw neither team seize full momentum, but Brown and Claire Heilman kept Devils Lake within reach as Valley City maintained a 42-39 advantage heading into the final period.

The Hi-Liners built a 10-point lead early in the fourth, but Devils Lake stormed back with five consecutive three-pointers, four of them from senior Torri Fee, who finished with 16 points to tie for the team lead.

Valley City, however, leaned on its inside presence down the stretch. Burchill and Kocka controlled the boards, limiting Devils Lake’s second-chance opportunities. Burchill led all scorers with 18 points, while Kocka added 14 off the bench as the Hi-Liners held on for the 64-56 win, improving to 15-2.

Valley City returns to action on Thursday, Feb. 6, traveling to face Lisbon at 6 p.m. The game will be broadcast on 1490 AM/96.3 FM KOVC and streamed online at NewsDakota.com.