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CITY, ND (VCSUVikings.com)- Valley City State gave the No. 3-ranked team in the country all it could handle Tuesday night, pushing Dakota Wesleyan to the limit before the Tigers held on for a 69-62 road victory in NAIA women’s basketball action.
The Viking women trailed by as many as 10 in the fourth quarter but rallied to within three points several times in the final minutes. The Tigers went 9-for-10 at the free throw line in the last 70 seconds to hold off the Viking push.
Valley City State drops to 2-2 overall this season. Dakota Wesleyan, which is ranked No. 3 in the NAIA Preseason Coaches’ Poll, improves to 2-0.
VCSU started fast with an 8-0 lead, frustrating the Tigers with feisty defense that propelled the Vikings to a 15-6 lead after the first quarter. A jumper by Sara Schwanke gave VCSU it’s biggest lead of the game at 17-6 early in the second quarter. But the Tigers showed why they’re the No. 3-ranked team in the country, outscoring VCSU 22-9 in the second quarter to take a 28-24 lead into the locker room.
The Vikings played shot-for-shot with the Tigers during an intense second half, but VCSU was unable to tie or take the lead over the final 20 minutes. Trailing 46-43 early in the fourth quarter, a 3-pointer by Kennedy Henningsgard that would have tied the game swirled halfway down and popped out. It was a microcosm of the game as VCSU went just 4-for-22 from 3-point range (18 percent).
From there, the Tigers mounted a 12-5 run to build their biggest lead of the game at 58-48 with 4:07 remaining. VCSU responded with a 9-2 run – including seven points by Georgia Williams – that brought them back to within 60-57 with 1:13 remaining. The Tigers were too good at the line though, going 9-for-10 in the final 70 seconds to keep VCSU at bay.
Dakota Wesleyan shot 43 percent from the field (21-49), 33 percent on 3-pointers (5-15) and 76 percent at the free throw line (22-29). The Tigers went 17-for-19 at the free throw line in the second half.
Valley City State shot 37 percent overall (23-63), 18 percent on 3’s (4-22) and 92 percent at the free throw line (12-13).
Kennedy Henningsgard led the Vikings with 16 points off the bench. Sara Schwanke and Georgia Williams both scored 12 points. Lexi Lennon had nine points, and Alli Vandal finished with seven points and 12 rebounds – including seven offensive boards. Hannah Schlecht added six points off the bench. Kaitlin Connor didn’t score for the Vikings but changed the game inside with four blocks.
VCSU had 32 rebounds (12 offensive), seven assists, 18 turnovers, five blocks and eight steals. Dakota Wesleyan finished with 33 rebounds (five offensive), 10 assists, 20 turnovers, no blocks and 10 steals.
Ashley Bray led the Tigers with 14 points and Erica Herrold chipped in 13. Rylie Osthus scored 12 points, which included a 10-for-12 night at the free throw line.
Up next: Valley City State (2-2) travels to Wisconsin this weekend for the Cardinal Stritch Classic. VCSU will play Judson University on Friday night and then plays host Cardinal Stritch on Saturday afternoon. Cardinal Stritch is ranked No. 19 in the NAIA Preseason Poll.