JAMESTOWN, N.D. – The Valley City State University women's basketball team was overcome by the Bismarck State College Mystics 59-55 on Tuesday, Jan. 20.
The Vikings are now 5-12 overall and are 2-11 in Frontier Conference games. Bismarck State improves to 5-12 overall and is 5-8 in Frontier Conference games.
The Mystics opened the first quarter outscoring the Vikings 14-4 to start the game. There, Cassidy Schute responded with a three-pointer that inspired five points from
JayCee Richter, and another three from
Liz Lukken. The Vikings closed the first quarter trailing the Mystics 20-15.
Starting the second, the Vikings got within three points after Lukken fought her way to a basket, scoring two. The Mystics then grew their lead back to ten, scoring six straight. Battling back,
Madison Spacher got the team back within four at 31-27 after making a three-pointer. Bismarck State closed the first half leading 38-30.
At the half, the Vikings shot 11-for-32 from the field, 4-for-13 from the three-point line, and 4-for-7 from the free throw line. The Mystics shot 13-for-35 from the field, 5-for-13 from the three-point line, and 7-for-7 from the free throw line.
The Vikings were firing on all cylinders starting the second half, where they immediately went on an 8-0 run, tying the game at 38-38. Playing the quarter, the Vikings held tight until Piper Harris hit a three, giving the Mystics a 48-41 lead going into the fourth quarter.
VCSU played a strong fourth quarter where
Abby Aslesen and
Tiyana Schwinghammer combined for 10 points, which was followed up with a
Sophie Bachmeier three pointer that got the Vikings within two points. At 57-55 in the last minute, the Mystics nailed a pair of free throws to take a 59-55 lead, where the game would later end.
The Vikings finished the game shooting 20-for-62 from the field, 7-for-23 from the three-point line, and 8-for-15 from the free throw line.
Tiyana Schwinghammer led the Vikings in scoring, tallying 10 points and five steals.
JayCee Richter followed with eight points and 11 rebounds. The Blue Hawks shot 17-70 from the field, 7-for-29 from the three-point line, and 14-17 from the free throw line.
UP NEXT: The Vikings are set to host Mayville State University on Saturday, Jan. 24, at 5:00 p.m.