VCSU men drops games at Iowa Tournament

The Valley City State men's basketball team dropped a pair of games this weekend in Iowa, falling to Iowa Wesleyan and William Woods during a tournament hosted by Waldorf University.

The Vikings struggled to make shots on Saturday, shooting just 25 percent in an 81-58 loss to Iowa Wesleyan. On Sunday, the Vikings went back and forth with William Woods before the Eagles scored an 84-82 win over VCSU.

Valley City State is now 3-5 overall this season. The Vikings are back in action Wednesday night when they host Oak Hills Christian College. The women's game tips at 5 p.m. and the men follow at 7 p.m.

William Woods 84, VCSU 82

Sunday's game featured 16 lead changes as the Vikings and Eagles went back and forth. VCSU held a slim 39-37 lead at halftime. The Vikings led by as many as six in the second half, opening up a 52-46 advantage after a 3-pointer by Edmon Oyet and a layup by Hunter Lyman.

William Woods responded with a 7-1 run to tie the game at 53-53 with 12:41 remaining. The teams traded leads over the next five minutes, but William Woods took the lead for good with a 12-3 run, opening up a 78-70 lead with 2:41 remaining. The Vikings were within one possession on four separate occasions in the final two minutes but could not complete a late comeback.

VCSU shot 43 percent overall (3173), 37 percent on 3's (10-27) and 53 percent at the free throw line (10-19). William Woods finished the game at 44 percent overall (30-68), 20 percent on 3's (3-15) and 81 percent at the line (21-26).

William Woods held a slight 33-31 rebounding advantage, and the teams were even with 11 offensive rebounds each. VCSU had eight steals and forced 12 turnovers. The Vikings turned it over just nine times.

Four Vikings scored in double figures, led by 18 points from guard Cayden Rickard. Edmon Oyet had 13 points and eight rebounds, and

Tate Hebrink finished with 13 points and five assists. Duke Carey added 11 points and two assists off the bench.

Iowa Wesleyan 81, VCSU 58 VCSU shot just 25 percent on Saturday's game, falling 81-58 to Iowa Wesleyan.

Valley City State was 18-for-71 overall (25 percent) and 6-for-26 on 3's (23 percent). Iowa Wesleyan finished the game at 55 percent shooting (32-58).

Cayden Rickard had 10 points and two assists, while Daevonte Munson finished with nine points, five rebounds and three steals for the Vikings. Duoth Gach had eight points and three assists.