Valley City State qualifies for nationals

Valley City was the first team of the weekend to qualify for nationals.

The Vikings earned their third straight trip to Sioux City, Iowa, making surprisingly easy work of Mayville

State Saturday afternoon, 78-66, in semifinal action of the A.I.I. tournament at the Civic Center.

The Vikings held the 22nd-ranked Comets to just 23 first-half points. Mayville State averages nearly 84 points

per game.

Courtney Titus splashed in seven 3-pointers to lead the Vikings with a game-best 24 points. Brittany Lehner

added 19 points and eight rebounds. Sadiqah Jihad had 12.

The Comets (20-5) will have to sweat out the at-large process and are truly on the bubble. Liza Hoglo had 18

points off the bench to lead Mayville State, which has never qualified for the national tournament.

A.I.I. Tournament

Women

Semifinal (national qualifier)

Valley City State 78, Mayville State 66

Mayville State 23 43 - 66

Valley City State 32 46 - 78

Mayville State: Angela Tauer 5, Marcissa McMillan 9, Hailey Longtin 14, Sabrina Rude 14, Liza Hoglo 18, Kay

Laforet 6. Totals: 24-60 FG, Three-pointers: 9-31 (Rude 4, Longtin 4, Tauer), 9-12 FT, 35 Rebounds (McMillan

10), 22 Fouls, 13 Assists (Laforet 4), 13 Turnovers, 1 Blocked shot (McMillann), 5 Steals (Laforet 2).

Valley City State: Brittany Lehner 19, Alyssa Hummel 8, Courtney Titus 24, Sadiqah Jihad 12, Stephanie Pedersen

2, Sierra Even 8, Ashli Lee 4, Helsey Hunter 1. Totals: 21-55 FG, Three-pointers: 11-20 (Titus 7, Jihad 2,

Even), 25-28 FT, 37 Rebounds (Hummel 9), 14 Fouls, 18 Assists (Even 6), 14 Turnovers, 3 Blocked shots (3 with

1), 10 Steals (Even 3).

Records: Valley City State 24-6; Mayville State 20-5.

Tags: sports, updates, college, basketball