VALLEY CITY, N.D. (vcsuvikings.com) – A frenetic pressure defense set the tone early Friday night as the Valley City State men’s basketball team rolled to a 93-66 victory over Presentation College.
The Vikings forced 18 turnovers in the first half, leading to 19 points off turnovers and a 42-23 lead at the break. The Saints would get no closer than 13 points in the second half. The Vikings finished the game scoring 41 of their points off Presentation College’s 29 turnovers.
Valley City State improves to 14-4 overall and 5-3 in the North Star Athletic Association. The Saints drop to 3-18 overall and 0-8 in the NSAA.
Two 3-pointers by the Saints trimmed the Viking lead to 60-47 midway through the second half, but VCSU forward Matthew Schlottman nailed back-to-back 3-pointers that sparked a 8-0 Viking run and pushed VCSU’s lead back to 21 points.
“If you don’t hit shots against the zone, you don’t win,” said VCSU head coach Ryan Montgomery. “They made a little run and got within 13, and we’re thinking it might turn into a game, but then Matthew Schlottman came up huge with those 3’s.”
Schlottman’s two baskets against PC’s zone stifled the Saints momentum and put VCSU in control for the rest of the way. The Vikings finished the game with 12 3-pointers, going 12-for-27 from beyond the arc.
VCSU’s defense that forced 29 turnovers was fueled in part by a raucous student section, which came out in full force to support the Vikings.
“That was awesome,” Montgomery said about the student section. “We really appreciate their support tonight and we’re hoping they all show up again tomorrow. It’s going to be a tough one tomorrow against Mayville.”
Viking guard Joshua Kelly poured in 16 first-half points and a team-high 19 points total to lead VCSU’s offense. The 19 points by Kelly was a season-high for the junior guard, who has now scored double figures in three consecutive games. Jalen Addison added 13 points, including nine in the first half. Eddie Oyet also reached double figures with 10 points. All 13 Vikings who played scored at least two points, including 46 points off the bench.
“We’ve been saying it all year: it doesn’t matter who starts, it’s just a matter of if you can produce in the game,” said Montgomery. “We have so many guys right now that can produce in a college basketball game.”
Presentation College’s Ian Kelly had a 30-point, 10-rebound double-double to lead the Saints. Jalonni McCorvey added 22 points.
The Vikings finished the game shooting 54 percent overall (32-59), including 62 percent in the second half. The Vikings shot 44 percent on 3’s (12-27) and 74 percent at the line (17-23). Presentation College shot 48 percent overall (21-44), 48 percent on 3’s (12-25) and 71 percent on free throws (12-17).
VCSU now shifts its focus to a big game Saturday afternoon against Mayville State University. The Vikings entered the weekend just one game back of the Comets for first place in the NSAA standings. Tip off of the men’s game is scheduled for 5 p.m. at VCSU’s W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse.
Up next: Valley City State hosts Mayville State for a doubleheader on Saturday. The women’s game tips at 3 p.m. with the men to follow at 5 p.m. The first 100 VCSU students in attendance will receive free tacos from Valley City Taco John’s.
photo courtesy VCSU Viking Athletics