VALLEY CTIY, ND (NewsDakota.com) Two 10-point games went opposite directions Friday night for the Vikings in Valley City.
The Viking women were beaten by Bellevue University 68-58, while the Viking men knocked off the third-place team in the league in the Bruins 70-60, moving the Vikings into a tie for third in the North Star Athletic Association.
Ashlyn Diemert continued her strong second-half push for the Viking women, scoring 17 points and grabbing nine rebounds to lead the Vikings in both categories. Four Vikings scored in double figures, with Taryn Dieterle adding 14, Hailey Roberts 13, and JayCee Richter 10.
A combination of foul trouble and tough shooting plagued the Vikings. Valley City State shot 39% from the field in the first half, while Diemert and Roberts both had limited first-half minutes due to foul trouble.
The Vikings trailed 70-54 in the second half, and cut the lead to eight with an 8-0 run. The lead eventually fell to six, but Bellevue held on for the win.
In mens play, the Vikings trailed by five early, then lead by six and played the bulk of the game with a lead that alternated between a single point and four, before pulling away with key rebounding in the final minute for the 10-point win.
Daevonte Munson again led the Vikings with 21 points. Cayden Rickard added 15, and Tate Hebrink knocked in 12 for the Vikings.
The Viking defense forced three late turnovers and secured huge rebounds in the final two minutes of a four-point game. Munson put in a swipe-and-score, and Rickard, Duoth Gach, and Hebrink all converted foul shots in the final minute after rebounds or turnovers to secure the win.
The Viking men move into a tie for third with Bellevue, while the women remain in fourth by two game over Dickinson State with two to play. Both teams remain alive for home games in the NSAA tournament.
Dakota State comes to Valley City to face the Vikings Saturday afternoon.