VALLEY CITY, N.D. – Valley City State's balance outdueled Minot State University's post play.
The Vikings had five players score in double figures to overcome a 45-28 deficit in points in the paint to defeat the No. 14 ranked Beavers 72-69 in the Dakota Athletic Conference women's basketball opener for both teams Thursday at the Osmon Fieldhouse.
The Beavers took a four-point lead into the locker room at halftime and extended that to eight points on a quick 5-0 run capped by a 3-pointer by
Kallie Erickson (Sr., G, Fordville, N.D.) and a then bucket by
Caroline Folven (Sr., C, Byron, Ill.) at 14:01 in the second half.
But VCSU never let the game get out of hand.
With just under three minutes to play, Amanda Brown pulled down an offensive rebound and hit teammate Mandi Bindas for a bucket to give the Vikings a 64-63 lead. It grew to five on a 3-pointer by Caitlyn Wojahn a possession late after an MSU turnover.
Turnovers killed the Beavers all night as MSU finished with 24 miscues with 15 coming in the first half.
MSU (0-1 DAC, 4-2 overall) got out to a double digit lead early on mainly due to solid passing. MSU had 12 assists on its first 14 baskets in the first half.
The loss spoiled a great night from Folven. She finished with a game-high 28 points on 10-of-14 shooting including two 3s and 11 rebounds.
Sacarra Molina (So., G, Hinsdale, Mont.) also finished in double figures for MSU, scoring 11.
Wojahn and Brown each hit for 14 points for VCSU (1-0, 5-4). The Vikings didn't shoot the ball particularly well, hitting just 24 of 65 from the floor, but knocked down eight 3s, went 16 for 20 at the foul line and took 11 more shots than the Beavers.
Minot State will look to rebound Friday night in Jamestown as they take on Jamestown College starting at 5:30 p.m.
– GO BEAVERS –
