Balanced attack carries Vikings to commanding win
VALLEY CITY – The Valley City State men’s basketball team evened its season record with a commanding 111-32 win over Trinity Bible College on Wednesday night.
The Vikings took control early with a 37-point halftime advantage as they cruised to their fifth win of the season. All 14 Vikings scored in the game and five reached double figures.
Valley City State is now 5-5 overall this season heading into conference play. The Vikings have their NSAA conference opener on Saturday when they host Dickinson State University. The women’s game tips at 3 p.m. with the men’s game to follow at 5 p.m. from VCSU’s W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse. Tickets are available for purchase at www.vcsuvikings.com/ tickets.
The Vikings shot 53 percent overall (40-76) in Wednesday’s big win, and went 17-for-39 on 3’s and 14-for-22 on free throws. VCSU recorded assists on 26 of their 40 baskets.
Daevonte Munson totaled 15 points, four assists and three steals to lead a balanced Viking effort. Cayden Rickard made four 3’s and finished with 15 points and three assists. Duoth Gach and Matthew Schlottman both made three 3’s and finished with 13 and 12 points, respectively. Keaton Kvilvang also reached double figures, scoring 10 points off the bench.
The Vikings forced Trinity Bible into 28 turnovers while turning it over just nine times. VCSU finished with 19 steals and also held a 5226 rebounding advantage, including a 17-4 edge on the offensive glass.
One week after making a school record 18 3’s in a win against Oak Hills, the Vikings followed it up with 17 3’s in the victory over Trinity Bible.
Khalil Bolden scored 10 points to lead the Lions, which shot 26 percent overall (14-54), 13 percent on 3’s (2-16) and 40 percent on free throws (2-5).
Up next: Valley City State (5-5) begins conference play Saturday. The Vikings host Dickinson State for a NSAA doubleheader. The women tip off at 3 p.m. and the men follow at 5 p.m. at VCSU Fieldhouse.