VALLEY CITY – The Valley City State University women's basketball resumed its 2025-26 Frontier Conference season, coming up just short against Montana State University Northern Skylights on Friday, Jan. 2.

The Vikings move to 5-6 overall and are 2-7 in Frontier Conference games. The Skylights are now 10-3  overall and are 6-2 in Frontier Conference games.

MSUN started the game by hitting a three-pointer on their opening drive. Viking women responded, knocking down a pair of free throws on the other end. The two teams battled back and forth early in the first. With three minutes remaining in the first, the Skylights later took a 13-9 lead after a pair of Taya Trottier free throws. The Vikings then rallied back after scoring 12 points with four straight three-pointers, two made by Ellie Braaten and two by JayCee Richter. They closed the first quarter with a 23-18 lead.

MSUN started the second quarter hot, outscoring the Vikings 9-3 in the first three minutes of the quarter. They led the Vikings 29-26. VCSU held close for the remainder of the first half, earning two from a Cassidy Shute drive in the last 10 seconds. They finished the half trailing 43-38.

In the first half, the Vikings 14-29 from the field, 6-11 from the three-point line, and 4-4 from the free throw line. They were led by Braaten, who tallied 16 points in the first half. Richter followed with eight points, shooting 3-for-5 on field goal attempts.

MSUN shot 16-28 from the field, 4-11 from the three-point line, and 7-10 from the free throw line. They were led by Canzas HisBadHorse.

In the third quarter, the Vikings stayed within striking distance, playing a defensive-heavy third quarter. From the bench, Aubrey Prunty made two field goals in a row, helping the Vikings finish the quarter just behind at 59-55.

The Vikings mount a comeback in the fourth quarter, taking the lead after a Braaten three at 68-66. MSUN responded with a three of their own. With three minutes remaining, Vikings Madison Spacher hit a two, giving the Vikings a 70-69 lead. Down the stretch, the Skylights held strong defensively, taking a 76-70 win.

Closing the game, the Vikings were 26-59 from the field, 11-22 from the three-point line, and 7-8 from the free throw line. They were led by Braaten, who scored 25. Richter followed with 12 points and eight rebounds. MSUN shot 25-51 from the field, 8-22 from the three-point line, and 18-28 from the free throw line.

UP NEXT: The Vikings host the (RV) University of Providence on Saturday, Jan. 3 at 5:00 p.m.