Thursday…
Viking Women Basketball
VCSU The Valley City State women’s basketball team fell in their season opener 61-45 to Minot State University on Thursday night. It was an exhibition match for Valley City State and will not count towards their overall record.
The Vikings held an 11-10 lead after the first quarter including going 4-4 on free throws. Mackenzie Huber‘s basket with 4:56 left in the second quarter tied the game at 19-19, but Minot State closed the first half with an 8-0 run – taking a 27-19 lead into halftime.
The third quarter was evenly matched as Minot State narrowly outscored Valley City State 13-11, making it 40-30 in favor of the Beavers going into the fourth quarter.
Valley City State would go on a 15-8 run in the fourth quarter. Freshman Adriana Torres scored five points in the Viking run, capping it with a 3-pointer to cut the Beaver lead to 48-45. From there, it was all Minot State as the Vikings fell in their season opener, 61-45.
Maara Nelson led the Vikings with 12 points and Emily Schafer added nine. Mackenzie Huber and Alexis Bentz each tallied six rebounds and two steals for Valley City State.
The Beavers were led by Mariah Payne who went 12-16 and scored a team-high 29 points including five 3’s. Reagan Sanchez tallied three steals for Minot State.
The Vikings shot 30 percent from the field (16-53), 26 percent on 3’s (7-27), and 75 percent from the free throw line (6-8). The Beavers shot 48 percent (25-60) from the field, 35 percent (6-17) on 3’s, and 83 percent on three throws (5-6). The Vikings had 23 turnovers to the Beavers’ 14 and gave up 28 points off of turnovers in the game.
UP NEXT: The Vikings travel to South Dakota next week for two weekday matches. Valley City State faces Mount Marty College on Monday, Oct. 28, at 6 p.m. in Watertown, S.D. The Vikings then play at No. 3 Dakota Wesleyan on Wednesday, Oct. 30, at 6 p.m.
Viking Men’s Basketball
VALLEY CITY (VCSU) – Five Vikings scored in double figures Thursday night as the Valley City State men’s basketball team picked up a big exhibition win in its home opener, downing NCAA Division II school Minot State University by a score of 88-80.
The Vikings outscored the Beavers 47-36 in the second half, shooting 65 percent over the final 20 minutes en route to the victory. Jalen Addison paced the Vikings with 21 points on 8-for-12 shooting. Kevin Schramm and Hunter Sand each poured in 17 points, while Connor Entzi finished with 13 and Logan Nelson added 10.
The game was an exhibition contest for both teams and does not count towards their overall records.
Both teams blistered the nets in the first half, combined to shoot 59 percent as Minot State took a 44-41 lead into the locker room. The teams went back and forth to start the second half until Addison drained a 3-pointer with 13:39 left, putting the Vikings ahead for good at 59-57. Addison’s 3-pointer sparked a 10-1 Viking run which opened up a 66-58 lead.
Minot State would claw back to within two points at 69-67 but could get not closer. The Vikings scored the next seven points on a basket by Hunter Sand and five straight points from Addison for a 76-67 lead. VCSU iced the 88-80 victory with five free throws in the final minute.
Valley City State shot 63 percent overall (32-51), 50 percent from 3-point range (8-16) and 64 percent at the line (16-25). Sand knocked down three 3-pointers while Schramm and Addison each made two 3’s. The Vikings totaled 11 steals – including five by Addison – which helped lead to 14 fast break points.
VCSU’s five starters all scored in double figures. Chris Thompson added eight points off the bench.
The Vikings finished with 14 assists and just 13 turnovers. Minot State had 14 assists and 17 turnovers. The Beavers shot 48 percent from the field (28-58), 36 percent on 3’s (12-33) and 63 percent at the line (12-19).
Minot’s Kyle Beisch made five 3-pointers and finished with a team-high 20 points. Max Cody added 14 points and five assists.
Up next: Valley City State (0-2) travels to rival University of Jamestown for a non-conference game Monday night at 7 p.m.
