VALLEY CITY, ND (VCSUVikings.com) Valley City State University women’s and men’s basketball kick off the new year in double headers against the University of Jamestown and Dickinson State University on Friday, Jan. 3 and Saturday, Jan. 4.

Viking women’s basketball returns from break with a with an 8-6 record and are 0-2 in NSAA conference matchups. In their last time out on Dec. 15. Viking women came up just short against #6 Dakota State University where they led or were tie for much of the game.

This season Viking women have been led by freshman Abby Aslesen and senior Ashlyn Diemert playing in all 14 games, producing 13.9 and 13.6 points per game. On defense Ellie Braaten (So) and Elyse Hebrink (Sr) have recorded 23 and 21 steals respectively. Nine blocks and an impressive 91 rebounds have been recorded by Abby Aslesen.

The Viking men are 10-4 and 1-1 in NSAA Conference play. Starting 6-0, the Vikings got off to their best start in over 20 years. In their last time out, the Vikings took home a 76-66 win over Mount Marty University on Friday, Dec. 20.

Viking men have been led by seniro Lamar Grayson and junior Tyrel Creger both averaging double digits, with 17.1 and 13.4 points per game respectively. Shaheed Muhammad (Sr) leads the team with 36 steals, while LaDarious Stanfield (Sr) leads the team with eight blocked shots. Jayden Patcha (Sr) has recorded 54 rebounds on the season.

Looking forward the Viking men and women host the University of Jamestown on Friday, Jan. 3 and Dickinson State on Saturday, Jan. 4.

The University of Jamestown women are currently 11-1 ranked #24 nationally. They are 1-0 in conference play. Jamestown men are 5-7 on the year and 0-1 in conference play this season.

Dickinson State University women are 5-7 on the season 0-1 in conference play. DSU’s men are 6-7 and 1-0 in conference play this season.