VALLEY CITY - The Valley City State men's basketball team battled to its third win over a Top 15 opponent on Saturday, grinding out an intense 66-60 overtime victory against Bellevue University.
Valley City's Jayden Ferguson scored in the lane with 18 seconds left in regulation, tying the game at 57-57 and sending it to overtime. In the extra period, the Vikings outscored Bellevue 9-3 to seal the conference victory.
Valley City State, ranked No. 19 in the NAIA, improves to 11-2 overall and is now 3-0 in the North Star Athletic Association. No. 13-ranked Bellevue drops to 9-5 overall and 2-1 in the NSAA. The Vikings are now 3-1 against teams ranked inside the Top 15.
Bellevue led by as many as nine points at 46-37 in the second half before the Vikings battled back. Trailing 48-40, the Vikings used a 7-2 run to pull back within 50-47. A pair of free throws by Bellevue's Carl Robinson extended the lead to 52-47 with 4:48 remaining, but the Vikings would not go away.
Justyn Galloway and Jayden Ferguson each hit 3-pointers for VCSU that cut the Bellevue lead to 52-50 and 54-53. Bellevue's Bobby Fisher answered with a tough basket in the lane to put the Bruins ahead 56-53 with 1:04 left in regulation. Ferguson followed with two free throws to make with 56-55, and after Robinson made 1 of 2 at the line for Bellevue, Ferguson scored a second-chance basket in the lane to tie the game at 57-57.
Bellevue had a chance to win it in regulation, but Fisher's shot inside was blocked by LJ Booth and the game went to overtime.
In overtime, Booth opened the scoring with a putback inside for a 59-57 lead and the Vikings did not trail the rest of the way. A bucket by Darryl Howell put VCSU ahead 61-58 with 2:06 remaining. Bellevue's Olutola Olushola knocked down a pair of free throws to cut VCSU's lead to 61-60, and VCSU's Riley West made 1 of 2 at the line to make it 62-60 with 33 seconds remaining.
Bellevue had a chance to tie, but Fisher's shot inside was off the mark and West corralled the rebound with 1.8 seconds remaining. Fisher and Bellevue head coach Shane Paben were both whistled for technical fouls after the play, and West made four free throws to seal the victory.
Since the Vikings and Bruins will meet just once in the regular season, the win was worth two points in the NSAA standings. VCSU now leads the conference standings with six points. Bellevue is second in the standings with four points.
Jayden Ferguson and Justyn Galloway each had 14 points to lead Valley City's offense. Darryl Howell added nine points and four assists, and had four blocks. LJ Booth and Ellwood Ellenson both had strong games inside for VCSU. Booth finished with seven points, 12 rebounds and four blocks. Ellenson had six points, seven rebounds and three blocks. The Vikings recorded 11 blocks in the game.
Carl Robinson scored 12 points to lead four Bruins in double figures. Mike Cardenas and Jerred Cook each knocked down three 3's and finished with 11 points each. Bobby Fisher added 10 points and seven rebounds.
Both defenses were stout throughout the game, not giving up many easy shots. The Vikings shot 36 percent from the field (24-67), 24 percent on 3's (4-17) and 74 percent on free throws (14-19).
Bellevue shot 28 percent overall (19-67), 39 percent from 3-point range (9-23) and 65 percent at the free throw line (13-20). Bellevue had a 46-44 edge in rebounds, including a 14-12 edge on the offensive glass. the Bruins committed 16 turnovers while the Vikings committed 13 turnovers.
Up next: Valley City State (11-2, 3-0 NSAA, 5 NSAA points) travels to the University of North Dakota for an exhibition game on Thursday, Dec. 17. The 7:30 p.m. game will be televised on Fox Sports North Plus. VCSU then hosts Grace University on Friday, Dec. 18 at 7:30 p.m. Bellevue (9-5, 2-1 NSAA, 4 NSAA points) hosts Grace University on Tuesday, Dec. 15 at 7 p.m.
