ABERDEEN, S.D. (vcsuvikings.com) – The Valley City State men’s basketball team controlled the tempo in Saturday’s matchup with Presentation College en route to a 88-66 victory.

The Vikings shot 63 percent in the first half and 57 percent in the game. Valley City State also forced 19 turnovers and recorded eight steals as a team in Saturday’s matchup.

Valley City State improves to 12-4 overall and 4-3 in the NSAA. Presentation drops to 3-17 overall and 0-7 in the North Star.

The game was tied up at 18-18 after the first 10 minutes of play when the Vikings took the next six straight points capped by a bucket from Cayden Rickard. The teams traded baskets over the next three minutes, but Valley City State closed out the first half on a 14-5 run to lead 46-31 heading into the locker room.

Valley City State led by as much as 31 points on a three-point play from Chris Thompson on its way to the road win.

Eddie Oyet and Chris Thompson each scored 15 points for the Vikings while Joshua Kelly and Kevin Schramm each added 10. Hunter Sand scored nine points off the Viking bench and Connor Entzi added eight points and a team-high four rebounds for VCSU.

Valley City State shot 57 percent from the field (31-54), 44 percent on three-pointers (8-18), and 90 percent on free throws (18-20). Presentation shot 54 percent from the field (28-52), 31 percent on three-pointers (4-13), and 67 percent from the free throw line (6-9).

Presentation was led by 14 points from Ian Kelly. Qaiyoom Olanlege added 11 points and Jackson Becker chipped in 10 for the Saints.

UP NEXT: The Viking men will host Yellowstone Christian College on Tuesday, Jan. 26, at 6 p.m.