MADISON, S.D. (vcsuvikings.com) – The Viking men made nine first-half 3-pointers Friday night, opening up a 42-25 lead at Dakota State en route to their ninth straight victory.
VCSU’s first-half barrage built an insurmountable lead as the Vikings cruised in the second half to a 75-53 win.
Valley City State is now 9-1 overall and 2-0 in the North Star Athletic Association. Dakota State drops to 2-8 overall and 1-1 in conference play.
Both Matthew Schlottman and Jalen Addison were 3-for-4 on 3’s in the first half, pacing the way as VCSU shot 9-for-16 from deep in the first 20 minutes. Dakota State would get no closer than 12 points in the second half, and a quick 8-0 Viking run all but put the game out of reach at 63-39 with seven minutes remaining.
VCSU head coach Ryan Montgomery was pleased with how his team took control early – going up 17-8 – and never let up.
“Our men played like men tonight,” said Montgomery. “This was a gritty win for us being short-handed, and it really showed our depth.”
The Vikings scored 34 points off the bench Friday, including a season-high 17 points by Schlottman. The 6-foot-9 sophomore went 5-for-7 from 3-point range, leading the team in scoring.
“Schlottman was fantastic,” said Montgomery. “He came up big for us off the bench by finding his rhythm from 3. We believe in him and know what he is capable of.”
Addison finished with 16 points and three assists, and Kevin Schramm posted a double-double of 10 points and 11 rebounds. Hunter Sand added eight points and five rebounds off the bench, going 2-for-2 from 3-point range.
VCSU forced 18 turnovers and had nine steals, including three each by Chris Thompson and Cayden Rickard.
The Vikings shot 49 percent from the field (28-57), 50 percent from 3-point range (12-24) and 64 percent on free throws (7-11). Dakota State finished at 43 percent from the field (21-49), 20 percent on 3’s (3-15) and 53 percent on free throws (8-15).
Dakota State had four players reach double figures, including 12 points each by Ronnie Latting and Josh McGreal.
Up next: Valley City State travels to Bellevue University for another conference game Saturday at 5 p.m.