Viking women fall to (RV)Dakota State on Senior Day
VALLEY CITY – The Valley City State women's basketball team fell to a fast-paced Dakota State team Saturday, 8252. It was also VCSU's Senior Day as the women's basketball team recognized its graduating seniors.
Eleven Vikings scored at least a point in Saturday's game but it wasn't enough to take down the conference leader. Dakota State, who is receiving votes in the NAIA Top 25 Coaches' Poll, tallied 15 steals in the game and converted 20 VCSU turnovers to 18 points Saturday.
Dakota State improves to 22-5 on the season and 12-1 in the North Star. VCSU drops to 1412 overall and 7-6 in the conference. VCSU sits in fourth place in the conference standings and just one game ahead of Dickinson State. VCSU will travel to Dickinson on Thursday to conclude the regular season and decide which team will host a first-round playoff game.
VCSU recognized its five seniors in a short ceremony Saturday night. The seniors – Allie Critchley, Taryn Dieterle, Meredith Dumas, Bayli Heap and Emma Nielsen – were VCSU's starters in Saturday's game.
The Vikings couldn't stop a strong shooting Dakota State team who shot 46 percent (31-67) and scored 53 points in the paint Saturday. The Trojans made eight 3's and totaled 16 assists as a team while turning the ball over 16 times. Dakota State also shot 33 percent from 3-point range (8-24) and 80 percent from the free throw line (12-15).
VCSU shot 32 percent from the field (21-65), 20 percent on 3's (3-15) and 50 percent on free throws (7-14). VCSU tallied 20 turnovers and 10 assists Saturday.
Adriana Torres led eleven Vikings in scoring with 10 points, and JayCee Richter and Taryn Dieterle each chipped in nine. Meredith Dumas paced the rebounding effort with seven, and Emma Nielsen grabbed a teambest three steals.
Savannah Walsdorf finished with a doubledouble for the Trojans, posting 22 points and 11 rebounds in the game.
Sidney Fick chipped in 11 points and Morgan Huber dished a teambest five assists.
UP NEXT: VCSU travels to Dickinson State for the regular season finale on Thursday, Feb. 16. The women tip at 6:30 p.m. CT and the men will follow at 8:30 p.m. CT.