Big Second Half Propels Vikings Past Jimmies, 99-83

(VCSU) VALLEY CITY – After trailing by three at halftime, Valley City State used a big second half to down the University of Jamestown in its home opener, 9983.

Eddie Oyet tallied a double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds off the bench to pace the Vikings. Joshua Kelly also scored 18 points off the bench, all of which came in the second half.

"He really stepped up. He's one of those guys that we've been waiting to find his identity," said head coach Ryan Montgomery of Kelly. "He started to really figure it out tonight against a good basketball team."

Also scoring in double figures for Valley City State were Kevin Schramm (16), Jalen Addison (13), and Connor Entzi (12). Schramm also pulled down seven rebounds for the Vikings.

"I think they've learned that each one of them is important. We had five in double digits and it just shows you that you can't pick a guy to take away. There are just so many dynamics to our basketball team when we can share the basketball like that," Montgomery said of the team's win.

Valley City State improves to 3-1 this season, while Jamestown falls to 4-1 overall.

Jamestown jumped out to an early lead, taking an 18-10 advantage after seven minutes of play. The Vikings inched closer, closing the gap to just four points on a drive from Kevin Schramm to make it 29-25 with 6:20 left in the first half. A three-pointer from Tate Hebrink put the Vikings ahead for the first time in the game at 34-33 with 3:21 left in the half. Jamestown closed out the first half on a 10-6 run to lead 43- 40 heading into the locker room.

The second half was all Valley City State as Schramm, Kelly, and Addison combined for eight three-pointers in the first eight minutes to take a double figure lead at 7160. Jamestown would get back within eight on a bucket from Brock Schrom, but Valley City State answered with another three-pointer from Connor Entzi to lead by double figures for the remaining 7:56 on the clock. The Vikings led by as much as 19 points on a layup from Oyet en route to the 99-83 victory over the Jimmies.

Valley City State shot 57 percent from the field (39-68), 48 percent on three-pointers (14-29), and 50 percent from the free throw line (7-14). University of Jamestown shot 52 percent from the field (33-64), 44 percent on three-pointers (8-18), and 53 percent on free throws (9-17).

Valley City State also tallied eight steals as a team and forced 15 Jimmie turnovers.

Mason Walters led the Jimmies with 27 points and 12 rebounds Saturday. Jack Talley added 16 points while Allante Pickens added 13 Will Cordes and Brock Schrom each added 10 points for the Jimmies.

UP NEXT: Valley City State travels to Trinity Bible College on Tuesday, Nov. 17. Tip is scheduled for 7 p.m.