(VCSU) The VCSU basketball teams played an exhibition dbl-header Tues at Minot State U, an NCAA Division II school.
Minot State won both sides of the doubleheader, defeating VCSU 70-57 in the women’s game and 81-64 in the men’s game. The contests were exhibition games for the Vikings and do not count towards their overall records.
Up next: Valley City State’s women are now off until beginning conference play Dec. 7 at Dickinson State University. VCSU’s men are in action again this weekend as they travel to Panama City, Fla., for three games at the Battle at the Beach Tournament. The Viking men open the tournament Friday at 12 p.m. against Louisiana State University-Alexandria.
WOMEN: Minot State 70, VCSU 57
Minot State built a 33-20 halftime lead en route to the victory Tuesday night. VCSU’s Alexis Bentz and Macey Kvilvang hit back-to-back 3-pointers midway through the third quarter to cut the Viking deficit to 39-31, but that’s as close as VCSU could get in the second half.
Bentz scored 15 points on 6-for-11 shooting to lead the Viking offense. She also added six rebounds. Mackenzie Huber posted 12 points and seven rebounds, while Kvilvang had eight points and six rebounds.
The Vikings shot 32 percent from the field (17-53), 31 percent on 3-pointers (5-16) and 82 percent at the line (18-22). Minot State finished the game at 43 percent overall (29-68), 24 percent on 3’s (4-17) and 47 percent on free throws (8-17).
VCSU had nine assists and 30 turnovers, while Minot State finished with 23 assists and 17 turnovers.
MEN: Minot State 81, VCSU 64
Minot State pulled away over the final 15 minutes Tuesday night to defeat the Viking men, 81-64.
The Vikings and Beavers went shot-for-shot in the first half with the lead changing hands 14 times in the first 20 minutes. VCSU’s Hunter McCalla scored five straight points late in the first half to give the Vikings their last lead at 27-24. Minot State closed the first half with nine straight points to take a 33-27 lead into the locker room.
Valley City State cut the deficit to 44-41 on Michael Cornelious‘ jumper with 15:10 left. Minot State started to pull away from there, outscoring VCSU 37-23 over the final 15 minutes of play.
Kevin Schramm and Connor Entzi each scored 13 points to lead the Viking offense. McCalla added eight points and four rebounds. Cornelious finished with six points and four rebounds, and Jalen Addison added six points.
VCSU shot 43 percent from the field (23-54), 53 percent on 3’s (9-17) and 90 percent at the free throw line (9-10). Minot State finished the game at 53 percent overall (30-57), 46 percent from 3-point range (10-22) and 92 percent on free throws (11-12).
The Vikings finished with 15 assists and just nine turnovers. Minot State had 13 assists and 12 turnovers. Minot State held a 36-20 rebounding advantage, including an 11-5 edge in offensive rebounds.
