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S.D (NewsDakota.com) The Vikings men’s and women’s teams continued to find success in the North Star Athletic Association this time on the road at Presentation College. The Viking women would advance to .500 in conference play with a 79-70 win over the Saints while the men fallowed suit with a 70-65 victory of their own on the night.
The Viking women would be the first to meet up with the Saints. Led by Kelsey Hunter, who finished the night with 12 points off the bench for the Vikings, Valley City’s offense would create a early lead.
One thing the Vikings have been looking to improve was their defensive. Against Presentation, it appeared as though the fixings were in place. In the first half, the full court press of the vikings forced 18 turnovers. In the second half, the Vikings defense would pull away 15 steals. That effort combined with Stephanie Pedersen’s 10 points, Sierra Even’s 11 point night and a game high 15 points from Brittany Lehner would prevent the Saints from ever holding a lead in the game.
The win advances Valley City to 2-2 in NSAA play this season with a 11-8 record on the season.
In the men’s contest. VCSU found themselves down in a hurry as the Saints held an early 17 point lead mid-way through the first. However, the Vikings would bounce back. With two three pointers apeice from Mac Kroeplin and AJ McDonald, the vikings would cut the deficit to eight at the half.
The Vikings would continue their run into the second when Aaron Duske got the scoring stated for VCSU with a pull up jumper inside the paint. As the half continued, the Saints watched their lead disappear when Quinton Peterson sent a shot off the glass that would give the Vikings their first lead of the night with just over eight minutes remaining. Down the final stretch the Vikings would out score the Saints 17-11 claiming their third win in the NSAA.
McDonald led thee Vikings in scoring with 19 points but all five starters (Kroeplin, Duske, Peterson, and Russell Robinson ) would finish the night in double digits.
The win advances the Vikings to 3-1 in the conference with a 11-11 standing on the season . The Vikings next game will come on Saturday afternoon when they host Crossroads College at WE Osmon Fieldhouse at 4pm. You can hear the game live on 1490 KOVC.