MADISON, S.D. – The Valley City State women's basketball team dropped a heartbreaking 67-66 game to No. 8 Dakota State Saturday in Madison, S.D. The lead changed a total of six times and neither team led by more than seven points during the conference matchup.
 
VCSU drops to 13-13 overall and 5-9 in the North Star. No. 8 Dakota State improves to 20-4 on the season and 12-1 in conference play. Dakota State earned the NSAA Regular Season Title outright with a win over Mayville Friday night.
 
VCSU held a 33-32 edge at halftime with the help of 10 points, and three 3-pointers, from Ellie Braaten. She added another 3 at the end of the third quarter to maintain a 47-46 advantage.
 
Dakota State built a 56-51 lead on 3-pointer by Tabor Teel with 5:39 to play that would give the Trojans an edge down the stretch. Abby Aslesen would help the Vikings stay in contention with a pair of free throws to trail 59-58 with 2:20 to go.
 
Dakota State would build its lead to four, only to be cut in half by a JayCee Richter bucket with 1:06 remaining. After another Trojan basket, Aslesen again had the answer to trail 64-62. After fouling Dakota State's Angela Slattery, she made only one of her free throws that allowed Aslesen's jumper to trim the Viking deficit to 65-64 with 26 seconds to play. After a pair of made free throws by Dakota State's Tabor Teel to hold a 67-64 advantage, Aslesen's layup wasn't enough to upend the Trojans.
 
Valley City State shot 41 percent on field goals (25-61), 43 percent from beyond the arc (6-14), and 71 percent on free throws (10-14). Dakota State shot 29 percent from the field (20-68), 25 percent from 3-point range (11-44) and 64 percent from the free throw line (16-25).
 
Dakota State held a 50-39 rebounding advantage, including 18 on the offsensive glass. The teams were deadlocked with 16 assists and 11 turnovers apiece.
 
VCSU was led by 16 points from each Abby Aslesen and Ellie Braaten. Aslesen added seven rebounds and three blocks, while Ashlyn Diemert chipped in nine rebounds, six assists and two steals.
 
Three Trojans scored in double figures Saturday, paced by Angela Slattery's double double of 20 points and 12 rebounds. Tabor Teel added 14 points and Bria Wasmund scored 10. Wasmund also tallied a game-high seven assists and three steals for Dakota State.
 
UP NEXT: VCSU rounds out its regular season schedule at Mayville State on Friday, Feb. 21. The women's game is slated for 5:30 p.m. followed by the men at 7:30 p.m.