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BELLEVUE, Neb. (VCSU.com) – The three-game winning streak for the Valley City State men’s basketball team came to an end Friday night as the Vikings dropped a 74-61 contest at preseason conference favorite Bellevue University.
Bellevue built a 33-24 lead at halftime and held off several Valley City State runs in the second half for the victory.
Valley City State drops to 7-11 overall and 1-5 in the North Star Athletic Association. Bellevue improves to 10-7 overall and 3-2 in the NSAA.
Justyn Galloway scored 14 points to lead three Vikings in double figures. Rashad Satahoo added 13 points, and Austin Dunbar had 12 points and seven rebounds.
The Vikings shot 46 percent from the field (23-50), 33 percent on 3’s (6-18), and 69 percent on free throws (9-13). Bellevue University finished at 47 percent overall (26-55), 42 percent on 3’s (5-12) and 81 percent at the line (17-21).
BJ Shelton led all scorers with 21 points for Bellevue. Nick Hilton hit three 3-pointers and finished with 17 points.
Each team turned the ball over just nine times. Bellevue had a 35-25 advantage on the glass, including an 11-5 edge in offensive rebounds.
VCSU played the game without head coach Ryan Montgomery, who has taken a temporary leave of absence due to family health reasons.
Women
BELLEVUE, Neb. (VCSU.com) – The Valley City State women’s basketball team suffered a tough road loss Friday night, falling 65-58 at Bellevue University.
The No. 19-ranked Vikings led 29-26 at halftime, but Bellevue outscored VCSU 39-29 over the final 20 minutes for the victory.
Valley City State drops to 12-3 overall and 4-2 in the North Star Athletic Association. Bellevue improves to 9-9 overall and 3-2 in the NSAA.
After going down 50-43 early in the fourth quarter, the Vikings rallied back to within one possession three separate times down the stretch but were unable to convert on opportunities to tie the game. A quick 5-0 spurt by Bellevue gave the Bruins a 60-52 lead with 2 minutes to go and they made five free throws in the final 90 seconds to seal the victory.
Valley City State shot 47 percent from the field (21-45), 35 percent on 3’s (6-17) and 91 percent at the line (10-11). Bellevue shot 44 percent overall (21-48), 50 percent on 3’s (6-12) and 71 percent at the line (17-24).
Bellevue’s defense forced 20 Viking turnovers while the Bruins turned it over 14 times.
Lexi Lennon led the Viking offense with 18 points on 6-for-12 shooting. Kate Williams hit three 3’s and scored 13 points, and Mackenzie Huber added 12 points and six rebounds.
Bellevue’s Ryleigh McCartney led all scorers with 22 points after knocking down five ‘3s in the game. The victory was the first ever for Bellevue’s women against a ranked opponent. The Bruins are in their second season fielding a women’s basketball team.
