VALLEY CITY, ND  (Ryan Cunningham, NewsDakota.com)  The Vikings started their latest Montana road trip with a pair of losses at Montana-Western in Dillon Saturday night.

It was the start of the weekend for the Vikings, who had their Friday night game moved to Sunday in Butte at Montana Tech.

The Viking women shot just 28% from the field, and 25% from beyond in a 73-57 loss.  Despite the difficult numbers, the Vikings were in the running, leading by two until halftime.  A 21-9 third quarter sealed the Vikings fate.

Ellie Braaten led the Vikings with 15 points.  Braaten played a solid game in three phases, leading the team with seven rebounds and dishing out seven assists while committing just one turnover.   JayCee Richter added 10 in the loss.

The Viking women are now 5-5 overall, 2-4 in Frontier Conference play.

The Viking men landed four players in double figures, but again struggled to lock down opposition scoring in an 89-79 loss to the Bulldogs Saturday night.

Western shot 55% from the field against the Viking defense.  The Vikings were outrebounded 40-28, including 13-7 on the offensive glass.

J. R. Cison led the Vikings with 14 points.  Kaleb Larson added 13, and Joel Nelson chipped in 11 points and grabbed seven rebounds.  Nez Chehade scored 10.

Despite the solid Viking offensive numbers this season, the opposition is shooting 52.3% from the field and just over 40% from the three-point line this year.  The Vikings have been held to under 75 points just three times, but are now 3-6 overall, and have lost six straight.  The Viking men are now 0-6 in league play.

Women’s play tips Sunday at 4:00 PM Central.