VALLEY CITY, N.D. – It was the best of halves and the worst of halves for both teams in a game that turned into a tale of two halves between the Valley City Hi-Liners and the Carrington Cardinals.

The first quarter was a grind, as both teams struggled to find an offensive rhythm. Valley City managed to build an 8-2 lead with just over two minutes remaining, but Carrington’s Edyn Hoornaert caught fire, draining three consecutive three-pointers. The Cardinals closed the quarter on an 11-0 run to take a 13-12 lead.

The Hi-Liners were without Dacota Potratz for the second quarter after she picked up her third foul late in the first. Carrington capitalized, taking control of the game behind Marah Johnson, who scored nine of her team’s 17 second-quarter points. The Cardinals knocked down six three-pointers in the first half and carried a 30-24 lead into the break.

The third quarter saw both teams struggle offensively, with neither able to gain separation. Valley City trailed 38-33 with three-and-a-half minutes remaining in the period before finally breaking out of their offensive slump. The Hi-Liners closed the quarter on a 10-1 run, taking a 43-39 lead into the fourth.

Skye Nielson and Katie Burchill powered Valley City’s comeback, scoring 18 and 16 points, respectively, as the Hi-Liners began to dominate inside. Defensively, Valley City locked down the Cardinals in the final frame, holding them to just five points. A timely three-pointer by Maddie Anderson helped seal the 54-44 victory.

With the win, the Hi-Liners finish the regular season at 19-2 and earn a first-round bye in the Region One Tournament after their victory over Northern Cass on Thursday.

Carrington falls to 15-5 and will look to snap a four-game losing streak when they face Four Winds/Minnewaukan on Feb. 17.