The Valley City State University women's basketball team was unable to overcome a poor shooting performance Friday night as the Vikings fell 65-53 to Northwestern College.

VCSU shot just 30 percent from the field on its home floor and went 6-for-31 on 3-pointers (19 percent) in the loss – their first loss of the season.

Northwestern College, which is receiving votes in the NAIA Top 25 Poll, shot 50 percent in the first half as the Red Raiders built a 35-19 halftime lead and never trailed in the second half. The Vikings fought back to within seven points twice in the second half, but could not convert chances to cut into the lead further.

Northwestern College improves to 2-0. Valley City State drops to 2-1.

Lexi Lennon and Alli Vandal each had 13 points for the Vikings. Georgia Williams added 10 points and seven rebounds, and Kennedy Henningsgard finished with eight points and eight rebounds.

VCSU went 20-for-67 from the field (30 percent), 6-for-31 on 3's and 7-for-9 at the free throw line. Northwestern finished at 42 percent from the field (24-57), 27 percent on 3's (4-15) and 72 percent at the free throw line (13-18).

Northwestern out-rebounded VCSU 42-33. Both teams had nine offensive rebounds. VCSU had 11 assists, 20 turnovers and five steals. Northwestern finished with 11 assists, 25 turnovers and eight steals.

The Red Raiders were led by 20 points from Haley Birks and 14 from Kassidy De Jong.

Up next: Valley City State (2-1) hosts No. 3-ranked Dakota Wesleyan University on Tuesday, Nov. 1, at 7 p.m.