VALLEY CITY, N.D. (VCSUVikings.com)- Peru State College shot 62 percent Tuesday night as the Bobcats went on the road and took down the Valley City State men’s basketball team, 87-63.
The Bobcats led 35-25 at halftime and then put the game away by shooting 71 percent in the second half (22-for-31). Valley City State simply could not keep up as the Vikings shot just 40 percent for the game.
The Vikings drop to 1-2 on the season. Their tough early-season schedule continues this weekend as they host GPAC powers Dordt College on Friday night and No. 5-ranked Northwestern College on Saturday.
Peru State, an NAIA Division I school, improves to 1-0 after winning their season opener against the Vikings. The Bobcats forced 19 turnovers by the Vikings and were led defensively by five steals from guard Quantice Hunter. He scored a game-high 19 points, one of four Bobcats in double figures.
Valley City State freshman guard Jake Skelly scored a career-high 13 points and dished out four assists. Justyn Galloway scored 13 points and pulled down six rebounds, and Rashad Satahoo had 11 points. VCSU forward Jayden Ferguson, who entered the game averaging 24 points a contest, faced double-teams all night and was held to nine shots and eight points.
Peru State extended it’s halftime lead to 53-34 with 14:32 remaining in the second half. From there, the Vikings ripped off a 13-1 run, which included eight points by Skelly. His two free throws with 11:10 remaining brought the Vikings to within seven points at 54-47. That’s as close as VCSU would get though as the Bobcats went on a 17-2 run to build a 71-49 lead and put the game away.
The Vikings shot 40 percent overall (23-57), 20 percent on 3’s (4-20) and went 13-for-16 on free throws. Peru State finished at 62 percent from the field (37-60), 50 percent on 3’s (7-14) and went 6-for-11 on free throws.
Peru State out-rebounded the Vikings 35-21, including a slight 8-7 edge on the offensive glass. Each team had 12 assists and 19 turnovers. The Bobcats picked up nine steals, including a handful that led to fast break layups. VCSU had just three steals.
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next: Valley City State hosts Dordt College on Friday at 7 p.m.