LA CROSSE, WIS. – The Valley City State women's basketball team utilized a late surge Saturday to pick up a conference win over Viterbo University, 70-64.

The Vikings held the V-Hawks to just six points in the third quarter as they regained the lead for good Saturday. Viterbo's attempts to gain late possessions were not quite enough as Valley City State went 11-for-12 on free throws late in the fourth quarter to seal the road victory.

Valley City State shot 44 percent from the field (22-50), 31 percent on 3's (4-13), and 82 percent from the free throw line (22-27). Viterbo shot 31 percent from the field (23-75), 26 percent on 3's (8-31), and 59 percent from the free throw line (10-17).

Valley City improves to 6-9 on the season and 4-1 in the North Star. Viterbo falls to 6-10 overall and 3-2 in the NSAA.

The first quarter featured three ties and four lead changes as the NSAA teams battled for the advantage Saturday. A three-point play by Macey Kvilvang with 1:17 left in the first would give Valley City State a double-figured lead at 25-15.

Viterbo answered back with eight straight points to start the second quarter and take over the lead. Viterbo held the Vikings to only nine points in the second quarter as they held a 40-34 lead at halftime.

Coming out of the locker room, the Vikings struck first with a jumper from Kvilvang. An Adriana Torres layup with 5:48 left in the third gave the Vikings the lead at 45-44. Viterbo's six points in the third quarter wasn't enough as the Vikings held a 51-46 advantage at the buzzer.

The V-Hawks would get within three points in the fourth quarter but the Vikings secured the 70-64 win by going 11-for-12 at the free throw line.

Valley City State was led by Macey Kvilvang who scored 18 points and pulled down 10 rebounds. Mackenzie Huber and Taryn Dieterle each added 10 points for the Vikings.

Viterbo was led by Ambree Schlosser who scored 21 points for the V-Hawks while Madison Doerr added nine.

UP NEXT: Valley City State hosts Trinity Bible College on Tuesday, Jan. 21. The women are scheduled to tip at 5:30 p.m. with the men to follow at 7:30 p.m.