The Viking women's basketball team dominated the second half Wednesday night as they rolled to a 62-45 victory over Dakota State University.
VCSU trailed the Lady T's 26-23 at halftime, but ripped off a 28-6 run to open the second half, building a comfortable 51-32 lead with 8:45 remaining. The Vikings led by as many as 21 at 55-34, and coasted down the stretch for the 17-point victory.
The win is Valley City's second straight and improves their record to 14-7 overall and 2-1 in the North Star Athletic Association. The Vikings are receiving votes in this week's NAIA Top 25 Poll released on Tuesday. Dakota State drops to 10-12 overall and 1-2 in the NSAA.
The Vikings used a balanced attack to fuel the second-half rally Wednesday night. Seven different players scored during the decisive 28-6 run and ten different players scored in the game.
Stephanie Pedersen scored 12 points – including six of VCSU's first nine points in the second half – as the only Viking in double figures. Georgia Williams and Lexi Lennon both had eight points and Courtney Dixon had seven points and nine rebounds. Sierra Even tallied six points, six rebounds and seven assists. Allyson Suhr scored six points and both Tracie Boehmlehner and Sadiqah Jihad put in five points.
The Vikings shot just 36 percent from the field but forced 17 turnovers and came up with 18 offensive rebounds, including six offensive rebounds by Dixon.
VCSU finished 36 percent from the field (22-62), 24 percent on 3's (4-17) and 67 percent on free throws. Dakota State finished 35 percent overall (19-54), and was just 11 percent on 3's (2-19) and 56 percent on free throws (5-9).
Sharee Galbraith scored 12 points to lead Dakota State. Erin Rabenberg added eight in the loss.
Up next: Valley City State (14-7, 2-1 NSAA) hosts Dickinson State on Saturday at 4 p.m. Dakota State hosts Mayville State on Saturday.
