MADISON, S.D. – Valley City State University men’s basketball took down Dakota State University, 78-68 in Madison, S.D. Saturday night, marking its third straight conference victory. The Vikings improve to 14-12 overall and 5-9 in NSAA conference games. The Trojans fall to 11-14 on the season and 4-9 in the conference. 
 
Dakota State got out to a quick start earning 5-0 lead in the first minute after a Brayden Pankonen three. The Vikings quickly responded tying the game at 7-7 with 16 minutes remaining in the half. VCSU capped off a 9-2 run with a Sam Kobbervig three making it 16-9.
 
The Vikings held a steady lead for the remainder of the half, growing the lead to from 38-32 to 43-32 in the last minute of the half thanks to a pair of free throws from Jerome Washington and a three pointer from Shaheed Muhammad.
 
At the half the Vikings shot 15-28 from the field, 5-9 from the three-point line, and 8-8 from the free throw line. The Vikings were led Sam Kobbervig and Shaheed Muhammad both earning 11 points.
 
Dakota State shot 13-26 from the field, 4-9 from the three-point line, and 2-5 from the free throw line. The Trojans were led by Jansen Aiden with nine points and one block.
 
The Vikings added to their halftime lead going 18 points up at 63-45 with 8:59 left in the contest. Down the stretch, Dakota State narrowed the gap to seven at 75-68 with 51 seconds remaining, but it was too little too late. The Vikings closed out the game knocking down 7-of-11 free throws over the final 2:30 to finish with the 78-68 win.
 
The Vikings we led by Sam Kobbervig earning a career high 19 points, shooting 4-for-5 from beyond the arc. Tyrel Creger followed with 15 points, five rebounds, and four assists. Shaheed Muhammad had 14 points, six assists, and seven rebounds. The Vikings shot 26-54 from the field, 9-20 from the three-point line, and 17-23 from the free throw line.
 
Dakota State was led by Brayden Pankonen with 17 points and two steals. He was followed by Aiden Jansen with 16 points and five rebounds. As a team they shot 23-59 from the field, 7-28 from the three-point line, and 15-21 from the free throw line.
 
UP NEXT: The Vikings will close out the 2024-25 regular season at Mayville State University on Friday, Feb. 21 at 7:30 p.m.