VCSU Viking men drop close game to Mount Marty
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – A late rally fell short Sunday afternoon as the Valley City State men's basketball team finished its weekend with a 1-1 record during the NAIA Basketball Classic at the Sioux Falls Sanford Pentagon.
The Vikings trimmed an 11-point second-half deficit to just three points late in the game Sunday, but could not complete the comeback as Mount Marty University held on for an 89-82 win over the Vikings.
Valley City State ends the tournament with a 1-1 record, scoring a come-from-behind win over Dakota Wesleyan on Saturday before dropping Sunday's game. Valley City State now has a 3-2 overall record through the first two weeks of the season.
VCSU and Mount Marty combined for 103 points in the first half Sunday, making 17 total 3's as Mount Marty took a 53-50 lead into the locker room. The Lancers led by as many as 11 points in the second half, taking a 78-67 lead with 4:46 remaining. The Vikings mounted a quick 9-1 run – capped by back-toback baskets by Joseph Owens – to get within 79-76 with 2 minutes to go. Mount Marty would seal the game at the free throw line though, sinking 10 foul shots in final 100 seconds.
Owens shot 9-for-13 from the field and poured in a game-high 23 points to lead VCSU's offensive attack. Owens also pulled down seven rebounds. Daevonte Munson had 18 points and six rebounds for the Vikings, and Duoth Gach finished with 12 points and eight rebounds. Point guard Cayden Rickard totaled four points, and team-highs of four steals and four assists.
Valley City State shot 43 percent overall (31-72), 27 percent on 3's (9-33) and 73 percent at the line (11-15). Mount Marty shot 50 percent from the field (29-58), 41 percent on 3's (11-27) and 74 percent on free throws (20-27).
VCSU forced 16 turnovers while turning it over 15 times. The Vikings held a 41-34 rebounding advantage, including a 12-4 edge on the offensive glass.
Up next: Valley City State is back in action on Saturday, Nov. 12, as the Vikings host rival University of Jamestown. The Jimmies are ranked No. 9 in the NAIA Preseason Coaches' Poll. Tip off for Saturday's game in Valley City has been changed to 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased ahead of time at www.vcsuvikings.com/tickets.
Men’s Basketball mounts second-half comeback to defeat Dakota Wesleyan
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Valley City State’s men’s basketball team rallied from a 15-point second half deficit Saturday night, outscoring Dakota Wesleyan 33-11 over the final 9:30 en route to an 84-77 victory at the NAIA Basketball Classic in Sioux Falls.
The Vikings trailed 66-51 with 9:35 remaining before completely turning the momentum. Back-to-back 3’s by Edmon Oyet and Duke Carey capped a 21-3 run that saw the Vikings completely erase the 66-51 deficit and take a 72-69 lead on Carey’s 3-pointer with 4 minutes remaining.
VCSU would lead the rest of the way and secured the victory at the Sanford Pentagon with six points in the final minute, including a basket inside by Joseph Owens and two free throws each by Hunter Lyman and Duoth Gach.
It is the third straight year that VCSU’s men have defeated Dakota Wesleyan at the NAIA Basketball Classic. Last year’s win came on a last-second shot, and this year’s victory was just about as dramatic. Through the first 30 minutes, Dakota Wesleyan seemed to have the immediate answer every time VCSU would start to mount some momentum. The Tigers led 44-34 at halftime and extended the lead to as many as 16 points at 61-45 in the second half.
Six different Vikings scored during VCSU’s 21-3 run that flipped the momentum and gave VCSU their first lead of the second half.
Duoth Gach poured in a game-high 28 points to lead VCSU’s offense. The senior guard knocked down three 3’s and shot 11-for-18 from the field. Sophomore post Joseph Owens had his best game as a Viking, shooting 8-for-11 and finishing with 21 points, five rebounds and three assists. Cayden Rickard had 12 points and and two steals, and senior Daevonte Munson finished with 11 points and team-highs of eight rebounds and four steals.