VALLEY CITY, ND  (NewsDakota.com)  The Viking mens basketball team knew they had the talent to win, even during a tough stretch to start conference play.

After three wins in a row, they are in position to host a post-season tournament game.

Sam Kobbervig had a career day for the Vikings, scoring 19 points to lead three in double figures, powering the Vikings to a 78-68 win over Dakota State at Madison, SD Saturday.  The win followed a 61-59 win at Bellevue University the night before, and also a win over the top team in the conference, Dickinson State, to close the weekend last week.

With Viking leading scorer Lamar Grayson out of the lineup early, the Vikings found a scoring punch from  Kobbervig early.  A pair of three-point shots and a layup in transition give him eight of the first 16 Viking points.  The Vikings took a 19-12 lead early in the first half.

Dakota State would whittle the lead to as few as two, but Creger finding his scoring strike, and Shaheed Muhammad knocking down four shots, including a three with 30 seconds left of the half pushed the edge to as many as 11.  The Vikings took a 43-32 lead into the locker room.

Early second-half fireworks threatened the Vikings when Jayden Patcha blocked a shot, was called for a foul, on the play, then was whistled for a technical foul.  Dakota State sank four straight foul shots to trim the lead to nine 45-36 in the first two minutes of second-half play.

Caden Grinde responded with a quick three-point shot, and Creger joined the scoring race with a pair of quick field goals.  The Vikings had Kobbervig, Creger and Muhammad in double-figures at the media stoppage.  Odier Olange would hit a three shortly after, and the Vikings took a 63-45 edge with nine minutes left.

Dakota State’s Brayden Pankonen would counter with three three-point shots, reversing another by Olange, and the Trojans cut the lead to 66-54.

Kobbervig stepped up in a big spot late after the Trojans cut the lead to 10.  A ball rotation found him open by 15 feet with time to stare down a three.  He calmly drained his fourth of the day, pushing the Viking lead back to 71-58.

But the game was not decided.  After a Trojan basket, Creger would be assessed a technical foul, the second of the game against the Vikings, and Dakota State cut the lead to nine.  The Trojans would foul for possession, eventually cutting the lead to seven, but would get no closer.

The Vikings pull into position for a home tournament game with one game remaining.  They face Mayville State Friday night.