From VCSU Athletics

FOREST CITY, IA (VCSUAthletics.com) – Connor Entzi made five 3-pointers and four different Vikings scored in double figures Friday night as the VCSU men’s basketball team earned a 98-90 win over Clarke University.

The Vikings led by as many as 20 points early in the second half and then held off a late charge by Clarke to preserve the 8-point victory on day one of the Cobblestone Inn and Suites Classic hosted by Waldorf University.

Valley City State improves to 5-3 overall with its second straight victory. Clarke University drops to 3-4 overall.

Viking point guard Joshua Kelly dished out a season-high eight assists, highlighting a 21-assist night by the VCSU offense. The Vikings poured in 15 3-pointers, including the five by Entzi and three by Chris Thompson.

Entzi’s 19 points led four Vikings in double figures. Thompson poured in 17 points and had six rebounds, while Kevin Schramm finished with 17 points and seven rebounds. Kelly added 11 points to go with his eight assists. Jalen Addison and Eddie Oyet each added nine points, and Uhana Ochan scored eight as part of the balanced Viking attack.

Valley City State shot 48 percent overall (34-71) and 47 percent on 3’s (15-32). The Vikings were 15-for-20 at the free throw line. Clarke finished the game at 46 percent overall (32-69), 39 percent on 3’s (12-31) and 70 percent on free throws (14-20).

The Vikings had an 80-62 lead with 6:44 remaining before Clarke University mounted a late charge. The Pride made five 3-pointers in the final five minutes to pull within 94-90 with 25 seconds to go. Kelly responded with a layup to make it 96-90 and then Schramm made two free throws for the final margin.

Biggie Lister scored 21 points to lead Clarke, which is an NAIA school in the Heart of America conference.

Up next: Valley City State faces Iowa Wesleyan University at 1 p.m. Saturday to wrap up play at the Waldorf tournament.