VALLEY CITY, ND  (NewsDakota.com)  The Vikings split with rival Mayville State Tuesday night in the Frontier Conference opener, an opener delayed an hour and twenty minutes after referees were not contacted regarding  a schedule change, leading to no officials present at game time for the women’s matchup.

In women’s play, the Vikings shook off a slow start with a 55-25 run over the course of a portion of the second, all of the third, and the early fourth quarter, rolling to a 74-59 win.

After falling behind 25-15, in part on an 0-7 start from the three-point line, Ellie Braaten sparked the offense by knocking down a pair of crucial three-point shots on her way to 23 points, tying her career high for the second consecutive game.

The Vikings finished 11-30 from beyond, hitting 11-23 after the start.  Abbey Aslesen added 12 points in the win.  The Viking women are now 4-1 this season.

In men’s play, the high-scoring Viking offense could not find enough defense in an 85-82 loss, the first loss of the year for Valley City State.

Four Comets scored double figures, with Darius Brant knocking down 24, and Malik Siggers adding 20.  Mayville State shot 56% from the field, only taking 14 three-point shots.

Kaleb Larson led the Vikings with 18, with J.R. Cison adding 17 for the Vikings.  Valley City State is now 4-1.

The Vikings host Montana-Western this Friday and Montana Tech this Saturday.