VALLEY CITY, N.D. (VCSUVikings.com) – The Valley City State men’s basketball team led by as many as five points in the second half Monday night but couldn’t hold off a talented Minot State University squad.
The Beavers – an NCAA Division II school – shot 53 percent from the field as they picked up an 86-76 victory in Valley City. Tied at 66-66, Minot State used a 12-2 run to create some separation down the stretch.
Valley City State drops to 1-1 overall this season. The game was an exhibition contest for Minot State.
Trailing 45-41 early in the second half, the Vikings put together a 12-3 run over the next three minutes to take their biggest lead of the second half at 53-48. The teams battled back and forth from there until Viking senior Chase Carpenter hit a 3-pointer with 8:27 remaining that tied the game for the final time at 66-66.
The Beavers made several defensive stops as they went on a 12-2 run over the next four minutes, taking a 78-68 lead with 4:28 remaining. The Vikings could get no closer than eight points the rest of the way.
VCSU started the game fast, scoring the first six points on baskets by Justyn Galloway, Jouvon Edison and Jayden Ferguson. Minot State battled back and led most of the first half, going up by as many as 11 points at 39-28. The Vikings scored the next eight points – capped by a 3 from Logan Nelson – to make it 39-37, but Minot’s Tyler Rudolph knocked down a 3-pointer in the closing seconds to give Minot State a 42-37 lead at the break.
Three Vikings scored in double figures, led by 20 points and four assists from Jayden Ferguson. Rashad Satahoo dropped 17 points, and point guard Alex Quist scored 11 points and pulled down three rebounds.
The Vikings shot 48 percent overall (29-60), 35 percent on 3’s (6-17) and 80 percent at the free throw line (12-15). Minot State shot 53 percent overall (32-60), 32 percent on 3’s (6-19) and 89 percent on free throws (16-18).
Minot State out-rebounded the Vikings 34-25, including an 11-7 edge on the offensive gloss. Both teams had 13 turnovers. Minot State had 12 assists while the Vikings had nine assists.
Post players Tyler Rudolph and David Akibo combined for 54 points and 17 rebounds for the Beavers. Rudolph posed a double-double with 29 points and 10 rebounds. Nathaniel Moore added 11 points and Kody Dwyer scored 10.
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next: Valley City State (1-1) hosts Peru State on Tuesday, Oct. 31, at 7 p.m.