CROOKSTON, MINN.(VCSUVikings.com) – The University of Minnesota-Crookston pulled away in the fourth quarter Tuesday night as the Valley City State women’s basketball team fell in a road contest, 79-64.

The Vikings led most of the first half and were tied 34-34 at halftime with Crookston, an NCAA Division II school. With Crookston leading 51-49 late in the third quarter, the Golden Eagles took control of the game with a 15-2 run that put them up 66-51 early in the fourth quarter.

A quick 7-0 run by the Vikings cut the deficit to 66-58, but VCSU could get no closer down the stretch.

Valley City State drops to 2-4 overall. Minnesota-Crookston improves to 3-0.

Back-to-back jumpers by freshman Alexis Bentz capped a 13-2 Viking run in the first quarter and built VCSU’s biggest lead of the game at 20-12. Crookston would rally to tie the game at 25-25 midway through the second quarter, and the teams played to a 34-34 halftime tie.

Four Vikings scored in double figures led by 20 points from senior guard Kate Williams. She scored 13 of her points in the first half and knocked down four 3-pointers in the game. Mackenzie Huber posted a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Hannah Schlechthad 11 points and six rebounds, and Alli Vandal finished with 10 points and six rebounds.

The Vikings shot 40 percent overall (25-62), 29 percent on 3’s (5-17) and 69 percent at the line (9-13). Crookston finished at 44 percent from the field (30-68), 30 percent on 3’s (6-20) and 81 percent on free throws (13-16).

The Golden Eagles held a slight 41-37 rebounding advantage. The Vikings had 14 turnovers, 11 assists, six steals and four blocks. Crookston finished with just nine turnovers, 11 assists, six steals and two blocks.

Caitlin Michaelis scored 19 points to lead four Golden Eagles in double figures.

Up next: Valley City State is back on the road Thursday night for a 7 p.m. game at Concordia College-Moorhead. That game can be heard on the radio on KOVC 1490 AM/96.3 FM and online at newsdakota.com.