HAVRE, MONT. – Valley City State trailed for only 37 seconds the entire game as the Vikings came up with a big 78-74 win over Montana State-Northern in Frontier Conference Women's basketball Saturday in Havre, Montana.

The Vikings are now 8-14 overall and 5-13 in the Frontier Conference. Montana State-Northern is 16-7 overall and 12-6 in the conference.

The Skylights score the first basket of the game on a layup by Taya Trottier 33 seconds into the game. Would they not lead again until late in the third quarter. A jumper by Tiyana Schwinghammer gave the Vikings a 4-2 lead 90 seconds into the game. They would hold that lead for much of the game. The first quarter was close with five ties but a layup by JayCee Richter gave Valley City State a 17-15 lead with 2:51 to go in the first quarter. It started a 11-5 run for VCSU who led 26-20 after one.

The teams would alternate baskets early in the second quarter as the lead was either six or eight points for the first four and-a-half minutes of the quarter. The Skylights would get the lead down to four when Lynea Moran hit three free throws with 4:29 to go in the quarter. VCSU would end the half on an 8-4 run to lead 42-34 heading to halftime.

After the teams exchanged baskets to start the third quarter, Madison Spacher would make a layup to give the Vikings the ten-point lead back at 48-38 with 7:09 to go in the third. But the Skylights used a 15-4 run to retake the lead. A three-point play by Lauren Gunn would give MSUN the lead back at 53-52 with 2:28 remaining in the third. But that lead lasted 17 seconds as Olivia Backus knocked down a three-pointer to give the Vikings the lead back for good at 55-52 with 2:11 to go in the third. It was back and forth for the rest of the quarter will the Vikings leading 61-58 heading into the final ten minutes.

The lead stayed between three and six points for seven minutes in the final quarter. Two free throws by Trottier made it 74-73 VCSU with 2:51 seconds to go in the fourth quarter. Backus scored the last four points for Valley City State, including two free throws to seal the win with nine seconds to go in the game.

JayCee Richter led the way with 24 points, seven rebounds, and three assists. Ellie Braaten scored 15 points. Olivia Backus scored eight of her season high 15 points in the fourth quarter

UP NEXT: The Vikings have two key Frontier Conference games coming next as they travel to Dickinson State and Bismarck State next weekend on Friday and Saturday respectively.