VALLEY CITY – The No. 17-ranked Dakota State women's basketball team utilized its high energy and full-court pressure to down Valley City State in a conference matchup Friday night, 73-40.

The Vikings kept up with the Trojans through the first 10 minutes of play despite Dakota State's full-court press. VCSU and Dakota State each tallied seven turnovers after the first quarter as VCSU tallied four steals and Dakota State recorded three. Dakota State hit four 3-pointers in the first quarter to help the Trojans to a 16-14 advantage at the end of the first 10 minutes.

The Trojans picked up its defense in the second quarter, tallying eight steals and forcing 10 Viking turnovers. Dakota State pulled away with a 12-3 run over the final three minutes of the second quarter to hold a 35-24 advantage at halftime. The Trojans continued to stop the Viking offense as they held VCSU to just 16 second-half points en route to Friday's 73-40 victory.

The Trojans held a narrow 40-37 rebounding advantage in the game, including a 15 -8 advantage on the offensive glass. Dakota State also tallied 20 steals and 16 assists as a team. The nationally ranked Trojans scored 24 points off turnovers and totaled 27 bench points Friday.

VCSU falls to 4-8 on the season and 1-1 in conference play. Dakota State improves to 12-6 overall and 2-0 in the NSAA.

VCSU shot 28 percent from the field (14-50), 17 percent from beyond the arc (2-12) and 53 percent on free throws (10-19). Dakota State shot 36 percent from the field (24-67), 31 percent from 3-point range (11-35) and 61 percent on free throws (14-23).

Taryn Dieterle posted a double-double to lead the Vikings Friday night with 10 points and 12 rebounds for the Vikings. Breanna Price scored a team-high 11 points while Emma Nielsen added five points and four steals for the Vikings.

Allie Critchley added six rebounds and Bayli Heap pulled down five for the Vikings. Allie Negen recorded two of VCSU's five blocked shots Friday.

Four Trojans scored in double figures Friday, led by Shaylee DeBeer with 13 points and added four assists and two steals off the bench. Savannah Walsdorf and Elsie Aslesen each scored 12 points and Jessi Giles added 11.

UP NEXT: Valley City State hosts Bellevue on Saturday for another conference doubleheader at the Bubble. The women's game is scheduled to tip at 3 p.m. with the men to follow at 5 p.m.