VALLEY CITY, ND  (NewsDakota.com)  Valley City State is back in action in basketball tonight, and the stakes are high.

The Vikings will host Dickinson State this evening at the W. E. Osmon Fieldhouse in Valley City.  It’s the second “round robin” week in North Start Athletic Association play.

VCSU, Dickinson State, and Mayville State are on the north end of this year’s conference makeup, and are playing their games against each other in a round robin format.  Dickinson State plays at VCSU tonight, VCSU plays at Mayville State Friday, and Mayville State hosts Dickinson State Saturday.

The Viking women are in a three-way tie for third place in NSAA play, tied at 3-3 with Bellevue and Viterbo.  The Vikings defeated Bellevue by one, and lost to Viterbo in overtime this season.

Valley City State defeated Dickinson State 85-64 in Dickinson two weeks ago.  Ashlyn Diemert led the effort with 29 points, hitting 5-8 from the three-point line.  Hailey Roberts tossed in 22.

The Viking men are 2-4 in NSAA play, a game back of Dickinson State for fourth place.  Fourth place hosts a tournament game at the end of the year, fifth place travels.

Valley City State fell to Dickinson State in mens play 80-74 in overtime, coming back from an early deficit to lead late before losing Cleveland Bedgood, who fouled out with around five minutes left.  The game was a breakout for Viking newcomer Agwa Nywesh, who led the Vikings with 32 points.

Gametime is 5:30 PM tonight, with pregame coverage just after 5:00 PM on KOVC.