MINOT, N.D. (VCSUAthletics.com) – The Valley City State men’s basketball team hung tough with NCAA Division II Minot State University during an exhibition game Monday night.

The Vikings held a 37-34 halftime lead and the teams were tied 64-64 with eight minutes remaining. Minot State was able to create some separation down the stretch, defeating the Vikings 86-74.

The game was an exhibition contest for the Vikings and does not count on their record. Minot State improves its record to 6-1 overall.

Kevin Schramm led the Vikings with a team-high 25 points. Schramm went 10-for-19 shooting, including 5-for-6 on 3-pointers, and also pulled down four rebounds. Duoth Gach added 13 points on 4-for-8 shooting, while Jalen Addison, Chris Thompson and Joshua Kelly all scored nine points.

VCSU shot 42 percent overall (27-65), 33 percent on 3’s (10-30) and 77 percent on free throws (10-13). Minot State shot 51 percent overall (33-65), 29 percent on 3’s (5-17) and 88 percent at the line (15-17).

Melvin Newbern scored 28 points for the Beavers, and Kody Dwyer added 23 points.

Up next: Valley City State opens conference play on Saturday, Dec. 4, with a doubleheader at Dickinson State University. The women tip off at 4 p.m. Central/3 p.m. Mountain time, with the men to follow at 6 p.m. CT/5 p.m. MT.