MOORHEAD, MINN. – Valley City State University women's basketball grabbed a win over Bellevue University with a final score of x-x. The Vikings improve to 7-13 overall and are now 4-12 in Frontier Conference games. The Bruins are now 9-12 overall and are 5-11 in Frontier Conference games.

The Vikings started the game strong, scoring the first six points, earning two from Tiyana Schwinghammer, JayCee Richter, and Madison Spacher. The Bruins battled back, getting within two after a basket and a free throw by Karoline Ellison. VCSU turned on the pressure, scoring the next eight points with tallies from Schwinghammer, Richter, and Ellie Braaten. Olivia Backus knocked down a pair of free throws during the run. Leading 18-8, the Vikings then endured a run from the Bruins, where they would close the quarter with a 20-18 lead.

Early in the second quarter, the Vikings broke out on a 10-point run after Braaten hit back-to-back threes. Schwinghammer made one three-pointer, and Liz Lukken closed the run with a made free throw. After the run, VCSU comfortably held around a 10-point lead for the remainder of the half. With 47 seconds remaining, Lukken made two more free throws, giving the Vikings a 44-33 lead at halftime.

The Vikings shot 15/34 from the field, 4/10 from the three-point line, and 10/12 from the free-throw line. They were led by Tiyana Schwinghammer and Ellie Braaten with 12 and 11 points, respectively. Bellevue shot 12/29 from the field, 2/7 from the three-point line, and 7/12 from the free-throw line.

VCSU played a strong third quarter, growing their 11-point lead to 14 by the end of the third. Aslesen picked up five points, Braaten made six, and Schwinghammer had four points, helping the Vikings grow their lead.

The Vikings continued to outpace the Bruins in the fourth, where the closest the Bruins got withing nine at 69-60 with four minutes remaining. VCSU's starters closed out the contest, scoring all the Vikings' points in the fourth quarter leading the Vikings to a 80-62 win.

VCSU shot 28/61 from the field, 8/18 from the three-point line, and 16/26 from the free throw line. They were led by Ellie Braaten, who scored 18 points, 6 assists, and five rebounds. Tiyana Schwinghammer also had 18 points along with a rebound and an assist. Bellevue shot 21/55 from the field, 4/16 from the three-point line, and 16/23 from the free-throw line.

UP NEXT: The Vikings are off to Great Falls, Mont., to take on the University of Providence on Friday, Feb. 6.