VALLEY CITY, N.D. (vcsuvikings.com) – The Valley City State University men’s basketball team cut a 20-point first half deficit to just three points in the second half Friday, but could not complete the comeback as they fell to No. 25-ranked Dordt University, 86-76.
Dordt opened up a 40-20 lead late in the first half and held a 42-28 advantage at halftime. The Vikings rallied in the second half, eventually cutting the deficit to 57-54 on Chris Thompson‘s basket with 12:01 remaining. The Vikings could get no closer though as Dordt kept a single-digit lead the rest of the way and went 5-for-6 at the free throw line in the final minute to ice the victory.
Valley City State drops to 0-4 on the season, including two losses now to ranked teams. Dordt University improves to 2-0.
Four Vikings scored in double figures led by 22 points and seven rebounds from post Kevin Schramm. Connor Entzi added 15 points on 6-for-8 shooting. Logan Nelson scored 13, and Michael Cornelious added 10 points, five rebounds and three blocks.
VCSU shot 44 percent overall (28-63), 39 percent on 3’s (5-13) and 75 percent at the line (15-20). The Vikings were hampered by a poor shooting first – going 0-for-7 on 3’s and 38 percent from the field – that put them in a 14-point hole to started the final 20 minutes. The Vikings shot 52 percent in the second half and went 5-for-6 on 3’s over the final 20 minutes.
Dordt University finished the game at 47 percent overall (28-60), 39 percent from 3-point range (7-18) and 82 percent on free throws (23-28).
Cade Bleeker led the Defenders with 16 points, while Garrett Franken had a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds.
Dordt out-rebounded the Vikings 39-29 and held a 12-9 edge in offensive rebounds. The Vikings totaled 13 assists – including four by Hunter Sand – seven blocks and seven steals. VCSU turned the ball over just 13 times. Dordt University committed 18 turnovers and finished with 11 assists and 10 steals.
Up next: Valley City State hosts Northwestern College on Saturday, Nov. 2, at 3 p.m.
(photos courtesy VCSU Vikings Athletics)