Sophomore guard Logan Nelson poured in 14 second-half points for VCSU, including a 16-foot pull-up jumper with 29 seconds left to put the Vikings ahead 85-82. After the teams traded free throws, Bemidji had a chance to send the game to overtime but Jacob Hoffman’s 3-point attempt at the buzzer rimmed out, securing the Viking victory.

Nelson finished with a game-high 21 points to lead Valley City State. The sophomore went 10-for-15 from the field and added five rebounds. Chris Morgan tallied 16 points for the Vikings, including a free throw with 13.9 seconds to go that gave VCSU its final 86-83 advantage.

Connor Entzi finished with 12 points – nine of which came in the first half. Point guard Jake Skelly filled up the stat sheet with 11 points, nine rebounds, four steals and three assists. Skelly went 3-for-4 on 3-pointers, highlighting the team’s 8-for-22 performance from beyond the arc. Christian Kvilvang also reached double figures with 10 points and had a critical 3-point play with 10:36 remaining that gave VCSU the lead for good at 64-62.

Saturday’s game was an exhibition contest for both teams, and the first game of the season for Bemidji State. It featured six ties and 13 lead changes, including eight lead changes in the first 10 minutes of the second half.

After Kvilvang’s 3-point play, Bemidji would cut the deficit to one point several times but the Vikings always answered. Leading 70-69, VCSU put together a 9-2 run to open up their largest lead of the game at 79-71 with 5:31 remaining. Bemidji chipped away and got back to within 81-80 when Ja Morgan nailed a 3-pointer with 1:47 left.

VCSU’s Michael Cornelious scored going to the basket on the other end, but Logan Bader had a quick response for Bemidji to cut the Viking lead to 83-82 in the final minute. It was Nelson who would deliver the final big play for the Vikings, rising up and hitting a 16-foot jumper from the right wing with 29 seconds left for an 85-82 advantage. Each team went 1-for-2 at the line on their next possessions, and then Bemidji State had two chances to send the game to overtime but Jacob McNallan and Jacob Hoffman’s 3-pointers were off the mark.

Valley City State shot 49 percent from the field (33-67), 36 percent on 3’s (8-22) and 63 percent at the line (12-19). Bemidji State finished at 51 percent overall (35-69), 30 percent on 3’s (8-27) and 63 percent on free throws (5-8). Both teams pulled down 36 rebounds. The Vikings committed just eight turnovers while forcing 17 turnovers by the Beavers.

Bemidji State had four players reach double figures, led by 15 points each from Ja Morgan and Derek Thompson.

The Beavers started fast as a 3-point shot by Jacob Hoffman with 14:56 left in the first half gave Bemidji it biggest lead of the game at 15-7. From there, VCSU’s offense found its stride. Logan Nelson’s 3 with 10:40 to go capped a 10-1 run and gave the Vikings their first lead of the game at 17-16.

Valley City State used an 11-2 run later in the half to open up a seven-point lead. Hunter McCalla started the run with a 3-pointer, Connor Entzi converted back-to-back three-point plays inside, and then Christian Kvilvang’s two free throws with 1:40 to go gave VCSU a 42-35 advantage. VCSU took a 45-40 lead into the locker room.

Bemidji State opened the second half with a 7-0 run to regain the lead at 47-45. Logan Nelson’s jumper tied the game at 47-47 and sparked five straight points by the Vikings to regain the lead at 50-47 and set up the entertaining second half.

Saturday’s game featured intertwining storylines on the coaching side of things. Bemidji State head coach Mike Boschee is a native of Valley City, while VCSU head coach Ryan Montgomery previously worked as Boschee’s top assistant at Bemidji before taking over at VCSU in 2016.

Up next: Valley City State (1-1) hits the road to play a pair of NAIA opponents in Iowa next weekend. VCSU will play at Dordt College on Friday and then goes to Northwestern College on Saturday.