BELLEVUE NEB. (VCSUVikings.com) – Valley City State University men’s defeated Bellevue University 61-59, overcoming an 11-point deficit in the second half on Friday Feb. 14.

The Vikings improve their record to 13-12 overall and 4-9 in North Star conference games. The Bruins fall to 12-13 overall and 4-8 in NSAA games.

Viking Tyrel Creger opened the games score getting to the free throw line on the first possession, knocking down both of his shots making it 2-0. Both teams playing aggressive defense early in the first half led to a low scoring start to the game.

With 8:37 remaining in the first half Lamar Grayson made a layup to make the score 13-11 in favor of the Bruins. In the closing minutes of the first half the Vikings and the Bruins exchanged baskets on both ends of the court, closing the half with the score of 29-26 in favor of Bellevue.

At half time the Vikings were led by Odier Olange with seven points and two rebounds. He Was followed by Tyrel Creger with six points, two assists, and a block. The Vikings shot 10-26 from the field, 2-9 from the three-point line, and 4-5 from the free throw line.

Bellevue shot 13-22 from the field, 1-6 from the three-point line, and 2-4 from the free throw line. The Bruins were led by Emarr Vinson and JJ Montgomery with six points each.

The Bruins opened the second half with a 12-2 run on the Vikings growing their lead to 41-30, their largest lead of the game. In the next three minutes the Vikings responded narrowing the game to three with the score of 44-41.

The game stayed tight down the stretch though Bellevue held a one possession lead most of the way. Vikings Tyrel Creger tied the game at 57 each with a layup and took the lead with an and one go ahead free throw with 1:32 remaining. The Bruins reclaimed the lead with 1:22 remaining 59-58. Jayden Patcha completed a three-point play with 1:02 remaining giving the Vikings a 61-59 lead. In the last minute the Vikings defense held strong and took home the victory.

In the end the Vikings shot 21-54 from the field, 3-16 from the three-point line, and 16-20 from the free throw line. They were led by Jaden Patcha with 17 points and four rebounds. Tyrel Creger followed with 16 points, five assists, four rebounds, two, steals, and a block.

Bellevue shot 19-46 from the field, 4-16 from the three-point line, and 17-21 from the free throw line. Bellevue was led by Emarr Vinson with 12 points, two assists, two rebounds, and one steal.