– Vikings Sweep Presentation College, Sat.

VALLEY CITY (VCSU) – Mackenzie Huber and Macey Kvilvang paired up to lead the Vikings in their defeat of Presentation College Saturday, 84-72.

Huber and Kvilvang combined for 55 points, 20 rebounds, and seven blocks in the home victory.

Valley City improves to 8-10 on the season and 5-2 in the North Star. Presentation College falls to 1-16 overall and 0-6 in the NSAA.

The first half featured four ties and six lead changes as the NSAA teams battled for the advantage. The Saints scored five 3’s in the second quarter to give Presentation a 39-37 advantage at halftime.

Valley City State came out strong in the third quarter, scoring the first 14 straight points in the first four minutes to take a 51-39 lead. The Vikings made four 3-pointers in the third quarter, including three from Kvilvang, to command a 60-50 lead at the end of the quarter.

Valley City State would lead by as much as 14 points in the game, en route to their 84-72 victory over Presentation College.

Valley City State shot 47 percent from the field (26-55), 35 percent on 3’s (6-17), and 70 percent from the free throw line (26-37). Presentation College shot 37 percent from the field (27-74), 38 percent on 3’s (8-21), and 77 percent from the free throw line (10-13). The Vikings also held the rebounding advantage 38-32.

Valley City State was led by Mackenzie Huber who recorded her fourth double-double this season. She scored a season-high 23 points and pulled down a career-high 17 rebounds for the Vikings. Macey Kvilvang added a career-high 25 points and four blocks while Maara Nelson dished out a team-high four assists.

Four Saints scored in double figures Saturday, led by Jada Campbell with 25 while Lynnae Mitchell added 14, Karly Sanchez scored 12, and Tone’ Oglesby added 10. Jada Campbell pulled down a team-high 11 rebounds for the Saints.

UP NEXT: Valley City State travels to Presentation College on Friday, Jan. 31 for another conference doubleheader. The women tip at 5:30 p.m. with the men to follow at 7:30 p.m.

MEN

VALLEY CITY (VCSU) – Valley City State’s men’s basketball team used a 11-0 run midway through the second half Saturday to take control of a back-and-forth game with Presentation College.

VCSU’s 11 straight points turned a 53-52 deficit into a 63-53 lead with 8:47 to play. Presentation College could get no closer the rest of the way as VCSU secured an 83-73 victory.

Valley City State improved to 7-14 overall and 3-4 in the North Star Athletic Association. Presentation College drops to 3-18 overall and 0-6 in the NSAA.

Five Vikings scored in double figures and all nine Vikings who played in the game scored as part of a balanced attack. Hunter McCalla made four 3-pointers and scored 15 points off the bench as an offensive spark for VCSU. Logan Nelson added 15 points while Kevin Schramm, Chris Thompson and Matthew Schlottman all scored 11 points each.

Elijah Coleman scored 17 first-half points and the Saints sank seven first-half 3-pointers – going 7-for-12 from deep – as they opened up a 39-31 lead on Damien Luna’s 3 with 1:11 to play before halftime. VCSU’s Logan Nelson scored the final six points of the first half though, cutting the Presentation College lead to just 39-37 at the break.

The first 10 minutes of the second half featured seven lead changes as the teams traded shots. Nate Seyoum’s 3-pointer with 11:02 remaining gave the Saints a 53-52 lead. From there, the Vikings ripped off 11 straight points. Hunter McCalla started the big run with three free throws after being fouled on a 3-point attempt. McCalla followed that with his third 3-pointer of the game, and then Logan Nelson nailed a 3 and Connor Entzi hit two free throws to put the Vikings up 63-53 with 8:47 to play.

The Vikings led by as many as 13 after McCalla made his fourth 3 of the game, putting the Vikings ahead 73-60 with 4:33 to go. Chris Thompson added another big 3 later as the Vikings were able to hold off the Saints down the stretch.

Coleman led all scorers with 21 points for Presentation College, while Jackson Becker scored 14 points and Sean Schuring chipped in 13.

Both teams made 13 3’s in the game. VCSU shot 44 percent overall (26-59), 39 percent on 3’s (13-33) and 75 percent at the line (18-24). Presentation College shot 47 percent from the field (30-64), 42 percent on 3’s (13-31) and went 0-for-1 on free throws.

Valley City State held a 36-32 rebounding advantage, including an 11-7 edge in offensive rebounds. The Vikings had 21 assists on 26 made shots, and finished with 10 turnovers, two blocks and six steals. The Saints finished with 13 assists, 14 turnovers, two blocks and four steals

Up next: Valley City State University and Presentation College start the second half of conference play on Friday, Jan. 31, with another doubleheader against each other in Aberdeen, S.D. VCSU will then travel to Mayville State on Feb. 1.