VALLEY CITY (VCSU) - In tonight's matchup between the VCSU women's basketball team and Viterbo University V-Hawks, VCSU started off slow but finished hot defeating Viterbo 88-60.

The Vikings fell behind 12-2 in the early going but closed the gap at the end of the first quarter with a 13-2 run, taking a one-point lead that they would not relinquish the rest of the night. Closing the half, VCSU held a 36-30 lead and then broke the game open in the second half, by outscoring the V-Hawks 29-17 in the third quarter. The Vikings led by as many as 29 in the game.

Following the win, No. 17-ranked VCSU improves to 19-3 on the season and 11-2 in the NSAA. Viterbo drops to 5-19 on the season and 2-10 in the NSAA.  

VCSU shot 49 percent from the field (33-67), 8 percent on 3's (1/12) and 84 percent from the line. Viterbo shot 34 percent from the field (22-65), 18 percent on 3's (2-11) and 70 percent from the line.

Three Vikings scored in double digits. Leading the Vikings, Lexi Lennon scored 21 points and had two assists. Following Lennon was Alli Vandal with 16 points and seven rebounds. Mackenzie Huber was credited for 15 points and seven rebounds. VCSU out-rebounded Viterbo 46-31, including a 12-8 an advantage in offensive rebounds. Kaitlin Connor had eight points, seven rebounds, and three blocks off the bench. Eight different Vikings scored six points in the game.

Viking Senior Lexi Lennon is now in fourth place all-time in scoring for VCSU, surpassing Jody Schwab (1,382) and Brittany Lehner (1390) with 1,403 points all-time.

Viterbo had two players score in double figures with Alyssa Nilssen leading the team with 12 points and Ema Fehrenbach following with 11 points. Nilssen also the lead the team with seven rebounds.

Next action for the Viking women is Saturday (2/3) against Dickinson State University who is currently 4-18 on the season and 0-12 in the NSAA. This matchup will be televised on BEK 247. Viterbo also plays Saturday (2/3) at Dakota State.