BELLEVUE, NEB. (www.vcsuvikings.com) – The Valley City State basketball teams faced two Bellevue teams that are each receiving votes in the national polls Friday night.
The Bruins defeated the Vikings on both sides of the doubleheader, defeating VCSU 72-64 on the women’s side and 88-72 in the men’s game.
Up next: The Vikings travel to Dakota State Saturday for another conference doubleheader. The women are scheduled to tip at 3 p.m. with the men to follow at 5 p.m.
WOMEN: (RV)Bellevue 72, VCSU 64
The Bruins started out hot, scoring 26 points in the first quarter and leading by as much as 18 points in the first half en route to their home victory Friday night.
The Vikings came out stronger in the second half, holding the Bruins to just nine points in the third quarter. Valley City State heated up offensively in the fourth quarter with five Vikings scoring in an 18-7 run, capped by a 3-pointer from Adriana Torres, to put the Vikings within four points with 1:38 to go. The Bruins held on, scoring five free throws in the final minute, to secure the victory 72-64.
Macey Kvilvang led all scorers with 18 points and tallied five assists for the Vikings while Mackenzie Huber posted a double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds Friday night. Huber moves into a tie with Georgia Williams at No. 9 in VCSU scoring history with 1260 career points.
Valley City State falls to 11-12 on the season and 8-4 in the North Star Athletic Association. Friday night’s loss puts the Vikings in fourth place in the NSAA standings. Bellevue improves to 17-10 overall and 8-3 in the conference, moving into third place in the NSAA.
Valley City State shot 38 percent from the field (26-69), 18 percent on 3’s (3-17), and 82 percent from the free throw line (9-11). Bellevue shot 37 percent from the field (26-70), 24 percent on 3’s (8-33), and 67 percent from the free throw line (12-18). The Vikings held a 48-44 rebounding advantage, including 12 on the offensive glass.
Elexis Martinez led the Bruins with 13 points and eight rebounds Friday night. Laura Jurek and Brittany Hill each added ten points while Khalilah Holloway tallied a team-high five steals.
MEN: Bellevue 88, VCSU 72
Bellevue scored 18 3-pointers in front of their home crowd en route to their home victory Friday.
Valley City State battled with Bellevue in the first half, holding an advantage or tie for the first seven minutes of the game. Bellevue took their first lead with 4:54 on the clock on a 3-pointer from Amenofis Mitchell.
A 3 from Connor Entzi gave the advantage back to the Vikings with 4:07 to go. Bellevue closed the half with a 11-2 run, including three 3’s, to hold a 47-39 advantage at halftime. The Bruins continued to build upon their lead in the second half, leading by as much as 20 points in their 88-72 win over the Vikings.
Valley City State falls to 8-18 overall and 4-8 in the NSAA. Bellevue improves to 20-7 overall and 10-1 in the conference, moving into sole possession of first place in the conference standings.
Connor Entzi led all scorers with 20 points and tallied five assists for the Vikings. Kevin Schramm posted a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds, while Chris Thompson added nine points and three assists.
Valley City State shot 49 percent from the field (24-49), 55 percent on 3’s (6-11), and 95 percent from the free throw line (18-19). Bellevue shot 53 percent from the field (35-66), 49 percent on 3’s (18-37), and 0 percent from the free throw line (0-5). Bellevue out-rebounded the Vikings 35-25 and tallied 27 assists to the Vikings’ 16.
Bellevue was led by Jaylen Wiltz who scored 18 points, including 4-for-6 on 3’s, while Amenofis Mitchell added 16 points and four assists off the Bruins’ bench.
(photo courtesy of VCSU Athletics)