BELLEVUE, NEB. – The Valley City State women's basketball team battled throughout Saturday's game at Bellevue but a 15-2 run to close the fourth quarter lifted the Bruins over the Vikings, 73-54.

"It was a tough game for us tonight. We didn't do what we needed to in order to win. We didn't execute." said head coach Vanessa Johnson. "They wanted it more in the fourth quarter. But the season isn't over, and we still have a lot to play for. We need to get better."

Valley City State drops to 2-6 overall and 1-2 in the conference. Bellevue improves to 7-4 overall and 3-1 in the North Star Athletic Association.

Bellevue opened up with a 19-13 advantage in the first 10 minutes, but Valley City State answered back in the second quarter. The Vikings took an eight-point run capped by a three-pointer from Allie Critchley to tie it up at 23-23 with 5:51 before the half. The Bruins and Vikings traded baskets and held onto a 34-34 tie at halftime.

The two NSAA teams continued to battle throughout the third quarter with neither team leading by more than six points. The Bruins opened the fourth quarter with eight straight points and never looked back en route to the 73-54 victory over the Vikings.

Valley City State shot 30 percent from the field (19-64), 30 percent on three-pointers (8-27), and 67 percent from the free throw line (8-12). Bellevue shot 46 percent from the field (27-59), 38 percent on three-pointers (8-21), and 69 percent on free throws (11-16).

The Vikings committed just 11 turnovers Saturday while Bellevue tallied 13. Bellevue held the rebounding advantage 44-37 and tallied 17 assists as a team.

Adriana Torres paced the Vikings with 15 points and eight rebounds while Maara Nelson added nine points and eight boards. Taryn Dieterle and Alexis Bentz each added eight points for the Vikings Saturday.

Bellevue was led by Elexis Martinez with 17 points while Faith Ross added 14. Laura Jurek pulled down a game-high 11 rebounds for the Bruins.

UP NEXT: Valley City State returns home next weekend to host Waldorf University on Friday, Jan. 15, at 5:30 p.m.