MADISON, S.D. (VCSUVikings.com)– For the sixth time this season, the Valley City State men’s basketball team came up just one or two plays short in a conference game.
The Vikings dropped a Saturday road contest to Dakota State University, 74-71, which is the sixth NSAA game this season that Valley City State has lost by three points or fewer.
VCSU is now 5-17 overall and 2-9 in the NSAA. Dakota State moves to 9-18 overall and 4-7 in the conference.
The Vikings trailed by as many as 14 points in the first half, but ripped off a 12-0 run to cut the deficit to two points and entered the locker room down 35-30 at the half.
Dakota State led 67-57 entering the final three minutes before VCSU made one more push. A pair of 3-pointers by Jake Skelly and Connor Entzi highlighted an 8-2 run as VCSU cut the deficit to 69-65 with 1:23 to go. Defensive stops gave the Vikings two more possessions to make it closer over the next 45 seconds, but VCSU was unable to convert on the offensive end.
Baskets by Entzi twice cut the lead to three points in the final 15 seconds. Dakota State made two free throws after his first basket at 15 seconds remaining, and the Trojans were able to run out the final six seconds after Entzi’s last basket cut the deficit to 74-71.
Entzi finished with a game-high 21 points to lead the Viking offense. Michael Cornelious corralled 18 rebounds and scored 14 points for a big double-double. Logan Nelson added 16 points, and Skelly scored nine points and had eight rebounds.
Valley City State shot just 39 percent from the field (28-71), 18 percent on 3’s (4-22) and was 11-for-17 at the line. VCSU had a 49-39 rebounding advantage, including a 16-8 edge in offensive rebounds.
Dakota State shot 40 percent overall (27-68), 30 percent on 3’s (7-23) and 87 percent at the line (13-15). Carson Rentz came off the bench to hit four 3-pointers for Dakota State as he finished with 20 points.
Up next: Valley City State will close the regular season with five straight home games. The Vikings begin their final stretch by hosting Trinity Bible College for a non-conference game Tuesday at 7 p.m.