Roberts leads Vikings to 87-56 victory over Waldorf

Courtesy of VCSU VALLEY CITY – Valley City State's Hailey Roberts poured in a career-high 34 points as the Viking women finished the weekend sweep with an 87-56 win over Waldorf Saturday.

Roberts challenged the single game scoring record just after teammate Ashlyn Diemert fell shy of the record (38 points) in Friday night's win over Viterbo with 37 points. Roberts scored 34 points in just three quarters Saturday and left the game with a hand injury early in the fourth quarter.

With Saturday's win, VCSU has secured a home playoff game on Feb. 21. VCSU is now 12-12 overall and 6-4 in the North Star. Waldorf drops to 6-17 overall and 1-9 in the conference.

The Vikings took control of the game early and tallied 16 steals in the game. VCSU pulled away in the second quarter with a 14-5 run, including 10 points from Roberts. Diemert's controversial fastbreak layup at the halftime buzzer gave the Vikings a 46-33 lead at the break.

VCSU came out of the locker room with its biggest quarter of the night, outscoring the Warriors 26-14 in the third quarter and held on for the 87-56 victory.

VCSU shot 45 percent from the field (30-67), 33 percent on 3's (7-21) and 77 percent on free throws (20-26) Saturday. Waldorf shot just 31 percent overall (19-62), 22 percent on 3-pointers (523) and 65 percent from the free throw line (1320). VCSU won the rebounding battle, 50-37.

VCSU's lone senior Adriana Torres was recognized during Saturday's doubleheader and totaled 11 points, six rebounds, two blocks and two seals.

Elyse Hebrink posted a season-high 11 points and three steals, and Diemert chipped in 10 points, three assists and three steals for VCSU. Roberts added five steals and four assists to her impressive performance Saturday.

Waldorf's Brooke Dial finished with 20 points, seven rebounds and three steals in Saturday's game.

UP NEXT: VCSU rounds out conference play on the road next weekend. VCSU will play at Dakota State on Friday and at Bellevue on Saturday.