FOREST CITY, IOWA – The Valley City State women's basketball team used a big third quarter to pull away from Waldorf University as the Vikings came away with a 75-57 road victory Friday night.
 
The Vikings shot 50 percent from the field and scored eight free throws in the frame. Halfway through the quarter, VCSU made a 14-point run capped by a layup from Madison Spacher to build a double figure lead. The Vikings added a 13-2 run in the fourth quarter to ice the win.
 
VCSU improves to 13-10 overall and 6-4 in conference play. Waldorf drops to 4-16 on the season and 2-8 in the North Star.
 
"This felt like our most complete game so far this year. I liked the way we shared the ball offensively and the way we set the tone defensively," said head coach Vannessa Johnson. "I'd like to see us carry this momentum down the stretch!"
 
Ashlyn Diemert's game-best 18 points were helped by a perfect performance at the free throw line, going 7-for-7 on the night. Diemert has now scored in double figures in seven of the last eight games.
 
Hailey Roberts added 17 points while going 4-for-6 from 3-point range and Taryn Dieterle chipped in 17 points and four blocked shots for VCSU.
 
VCSU totaled 14 assists as a team Friday led by Allie Critchley and JayCee Richter who dished four assists in the game. The Vikings also edged the Warriors 42-30 on rebounds, led by seven from Rosie Anderson.
 
VCSU shot 39 percent from the field (28-71), 36 percent on 3's (5-14) and 63 percent on free throws (14-22). The Vikings held Waldorf to shooting just 27 percent on field goals (20-75), 32 percent on 3-pointers (6-19) and 55 percent from the free throw line (11-20).
 
Waldorf's Lizzie Garza paced the Warriors Friday with 13 points, nine rebounds and three assists.
 
UP NEXT: VCSU travels to Viterbo University on Saturday for a conference doubleheader. The women's game will tip at 3 p.m. followed by the men at 5 p.m.