MAYVILLE (VCSUVkings.com) — Four Vikings scored in double figures paced by JayCee Richter’s season-best 29 points as the Valley City State women’s basketball team secured a 76-67 road victory over Mayville State Friday.

After three straight conference losses, the crucial win will help VCSU’s confidence as they head into the NSAA Postseason Tournament. VCSU is now 14-13 on the season and 6-9 in the North Star. VCSU has secured the No. 5 seed for the NSAA postseason and will travel to Bellevue on Wednesday, Feb. 26 for the first round of the NSAA Tournament.

Mayville is now 18-9 on the season and finishes its North Star schedule with an 8-7 mark. With Jamestown’s loss Friday, Mayville has secured the No. 2 seed for the NSAA postseason and will receive a first-round bye for the tournament.

Richter opened her big scoring night with a 3-pointer to kick off the game with a 7-2 run in VCSU’s favor. Mayville closed the gap to trail 15-12, but a 3-pointer from Olivia Backus gave the Vikings an 18-12 advantage nearing the end of the first quarter. Mayville wouldn’t let the Vikings pull away any further and took back a 23-22 lead on a 3-pointer from Jes Mertens with 3:57 before the half. Another Mertens bucket gave Mayville a 29-26 lead but a jumper by Richter cut the Comet lead to 29-28 at halftime.

Coming out of the locker room, Richter erupted for 15 third-quarter points while shooting 6-for-7 from the field and 2-for-3 on 3-pointers to help VCSU lead by as much as six points in the frame, and hold a 52-49 advantage heading into the fourth quarter.

Mayville then took back the lead after a fastbreak layup from Mackenzie Hughes and a 3-pointer by Annika Reierson. Mayville led by as much as five points on an Alex Page 3-pointer with 4:53 to go, but the game changed course on a Richter 3-pointer. VCSU’s defense delivered key stops down the stretch while Olivia Backus scored five straight points to hold a 65-61 lead with 1:54 remaining. VCSU held on with 9-of-12 free throws in the final minutes.

VCSU shot 38 percent from the field (26-75), 29 percent from 3-point range (10-35) and 78 percent on free throws (14-18). Mayville shot 40 percent on field goals (23-61), 23 percent on 3-pointers (6-26) and 65 percent on free throws (15-23). VCSU held a 47-45 rebounding advantage, including 18 on the offensive glass.

Richter played in 38 minutes Friday and totaled 29 points, seven rebounds and four assists for the Vikings. Abby Aslesen added a double double of 10 points and 11 rebounds and added two assists and two steals. Diemert finished with 15 points, six rebounds and three steals, and Olivia Backus chipped in 16 points and seven rebounds off the Viking bench. Braaten dished a team-high five assists for VCSU.

Mayville was led by Alex Page who scored 19 points and contributed four blocks Friday while Mackenzie Hughes added 18. Jes Mertens finished with a double double of 16 points and 10 rebounds while also tallying four assists and four steals on the night. Annika Reierson pulled down 10 rebounds for the Comets.

UP NEXT: VCSU travels to Bellevue for the first round of the NSAA Women’s Basketball Postseason Tournament.