Diemert’s career night helps VCSU down Viterbo at the buzzer
LA CROSSE, WIS. – Sophomore Ashlyn Diemert scored a career-best 23 points and hit a buzzer-beater jumpshot to help the Valley City State women's basketball team to a 79-78 road victory over Viterbo.
Viterbo maintained control most of the fourth quarter and led by as much as five points with 1:31 remaining. A pair of clutch 3-pointers from Diemert helped close the gap to trail 78-77 with under a minute to play. After a crucial defensive stop for the Vikings, JayCee Richter found Diemert who hit the fadeaway jumper to down the VHawks at the buzzer.
VCSU swept its weekend games after defeating Waldorf University on Friday. The Vikings improve to 1410 on the season and and 7-4 in the NSAA. Viterbo drops to 5-18 overall and 2-9 in conference play.
"That was a gutsy win! There are no words to explain how proud I am of this team – to be able to battle through adversity and get this sweep was huge," said head coach Vanessa Johnson. "It was so fun to watch us make big plays in big moments."
Taryn Dieterle finished the night with a double double of 16 points and 13 rebounds and added four assists for VCSU. Hailey Roberts added 20 points, three assists and two steals while Meredith Dumas added eight points off the bench. Allie Critchley and Madison Wilhelmi dished four assists apiece and JayCee Richter led VCSU with three steals.
The Vikings shot 37 percent from the field (29-78), 25 percent from beyond the arc (7-28) and 88 percent on free throws (14-16). Viterbo shot 38 percent from the field (23-61), 38 percent on 3's (9-24) and 85 percent from the line (23-27).
VCSU held a 50-40 rebounding effort including 20 offensive rebounds that led to 19 second chance points. VCSU also tallied 20 assists while turning the ball over 14 times and Viterbo finished with 11 assists and 15 turnovers.
VCSU led by as much as 10 points in the first half as VCSU took a 12-1 run in early in the second quarter. Viterbo found a 15-2 run to hold a 36-33 lead at the half. From there, VCSU took back the lead three different times before Viterbo grabbed the lead on a Sophie Leinfelder 3-pointer 50 seconds into the fourth quarter. The V-Hawks held onto the lead until the last-second shot from Diemert.
Sophie Leinfelder led Viterbo's offense with 25 points and three 3's while going 6-for-6 at the free throw line.
UP NEXT: VCSU returns home for conference doubleheaders on Feb. 10 and 11. The Vikings are slated to host Bellevue on Friday at 5:30 p.m. and (RV) Dakota State on Saturday at 3 p.m.