FOREST CITY, IOWA (vcsuvikings.com) – Jalen Addison and Matthew Schlottman combined to make 11 3-pointers and score 43 points off the bench Friday night, leading the Valley City State men’s basketball team to a 91-79 conference road victory at Waldorf University.
The Vikings used a 14-0 run late in the game to turn a slim 68-65 lead into a commanding 82-65 advantage, putting the game out of reach and moving their conference record to 2-2 this season.
Addison made six 3-pointers and poured in a team-high 26 points, while Schlottman made five 3-pointers and finished with 17 points. Both added exclamation point dunks in the final minutes of VCSU’s victory.
“Our guys were relentless tonight, and I was really proud of that,” said VCSU head coach Ryan Montgomery. “We had some guys step up really big off the bench. Jalen Addison was outstanding and Matthew Schlottman provided some much-needed depth tonight.”
Valley City State improves to 5-12 overall and 2-2 in conference play. The win completed a doubleheader sweep after the Viking women won 88-71 earlier in the night. Waldorf University’s men drop to identical records of 5-12 overall and 2-2 in the North Star Athletic Association.
Waldorf University held a 29-25 lead with 5:30 remaining in the first half, but the Vikings closed the half with a 19-8 run to take a 44-37 lead into the locker room. Schlottman fueled the Viking run by hitting three 3’s in the final 4:30 of the first half.
The Vikings held a 56-49 lead after Hunter McCalla hit a 3-pointer with 12:58 left in the second half. From there Waldorf University went on a 12-3 run and took a 61-59 lead. The Vikings responded to take a 68-65 lead, and then put the game away with the late 14-0 run. Addison started the run with a 3-pointer at the 6:31 mark, and Logan Nelson capped it with a 3 at the 3:43 mark. In between was another 3 by Addison, a 3 by Schlottman and a layup by Nelson.
Addison and Schlottman’s performance highlighted 55 points off the bench for VCSU. The Vikings made 16 3-pointers in the game, going 16-for-30 from deep. The Vikings shot 53 percent overall (31-59) and 87 percent at the free throw line (13-15).
Waldorf University finished at 48 percent overall (29-60), 38 percent from 3-point range (11-29) and 71 percent at the line (11-14).
Demitrius Martin scored 29 points to lead the Warriors, while Melvin Martin added 17 points and Brady Kuchinka chipped in 12.
Up next: Valley City State continues its road trip Saturday with games at Viterbo University. The women are scheduled to tip off at 3 p.m. with the men to follow at 5 p.m. Both games can be heard on KOVC 1490 AM/96.3 FM.