VALLEY CITY, ND  (NewsDakota.com)  While the Viking women held on in a lethargic offensive night, the men, once again, had to respond after losing a sizable lead.

Both picked up key wins on Saturday.

The Viking women edged Presentation College 53-50 in women’s plan, responding to an eight-point deficit and scoring late for the win.  The Viking men rebuilt a 16-point advantage that fell to three by using the transition game for an eventual 20-point edge, winning 90-75.

Valley City State’s women used the win to secure a spot in the top half of the North Star Athletic Association (NSAA), while the men’s win over Mayville State Friday, Presentation Saturday, and Dakota State’s win over Viterbo Saturday pushed the Vikings to within a game of second place.

Presentation took an eight-point lead in a women’s game where offense was tough to come by, leading 28-20 in the early third quarter.  Valley City State responded with an 18-5 run over several minutes for a 38-33 edge, then lost the lead briefly before a JayCee Richter three-pointer at the horn pushed the Vikings up 44-42 after three.

The Saints fought off injuries to pull ahead in the final minute, but a cut by Ashlyn Diemert led to a layup to give the Vikings a 51-50 edge in the final minute.  Foul shots sealed the win.

In men’s play, VCSU took a 45-29 lead in the opening half, but saw it cut to three midway through the second stanza, before the defense, and an unsually strong rebounding night, took over.

The Vikings forced 20 turnovers, scoring 29 points off of those errors, and outrebounded the Saints 40-36, including 18 offensive rebounds.

Hunter Sand lifted the Vikings early, with Duoth Gach in foul trouble.  The fifth-year player from Pekin, ND scored 13 first half points, finishing with 15.

But the night belonged to Daevonte Munson.  Munson grabbed 11 rebounds, including six offensive boards, and scored 25 to lead all scorers.  His rebounding effort led to 21 second-chance points for the Vikings, on a team that had struggled to rebound with their opponents through the season.

The Vikings reached their biggest lead at 90-70.

Munson and Diemert were named Ivy Real Estate Group Players of the Game.

The Vikings travel to Waldorf in Forest City, IA on Friday night.