The Viking men's basketball team ended a 3-game losing streak and picked up its first conference victory Saturday night, defeating Dickinson State 73-66 at the W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse.
Point guard Riley West went off for 22 points and four assist to lead the Viking charge. The junior from Lakeville, Minn., finished 7-for-10 from the field and 8-for-10 from the free throw line.
The Vikings improve to 11-12 overall and 1-3 in the North Star Athletic Association after Saturday's victory. Dickinson State drops to 9-12 overall and 1-3 in conference play. VCSU will play at Mayville State on Wednesday night while Dickinson will host Presentation College.
The two teams were tied 35-35 at halftime Saturday, and the Blue Hawks would lead 48-44 after a free throw by Mack Odenier with 13:18 remaining. VCSU responded with a 13-1 run, regaining the lead and building a 57-49 margin with 8:07 remaining.
The Blue Hawks got back to within four points late in the game, but West scored the final 10 points for VCSU, including a perfect 8-for-8 performance at the free throw line in the final 1:35.
Ellwood Ellenson scored 11 points and pulled down eight rebounds for the Vikings. Jayden Ferguson scored 10 points, Mac Kroeplin added nine points and Briton Bussman chipped in eight. Sophomore forward Austin Rambow gave the Vikings a huge spark off the bench, scoring six points, pulling down seven rebounds and coming up with numerous hustle plays.
Dickinson State was led by 18 points and 12 rebounds from Mack Odenier. Connor Donaldson added 13 points and nine rebounds.
VCSU shot 44 percent overall (26-59), 22 percent on 3's (4-18) and 74 percent on free throws (17-23). Dickinson State finished 38 percent from the field (23-60), 13 percent on 3's (2-16) and 67 percent on free throws (18-27).
