The Valley City State men's basketball team used stifling defense and feisty offense to knock off the No. 15-ranked team in the country Friday night.
VCSU forced 19 turnovers and held Waldorf College to 38 percent shooting as the Vikings earned an 80-55 conference victory in Valley City.
The Vikings scored the first four points of the contest and never trailed as they improved to 9-1 overall and 2-0 in the North Star Athletic Association. It is Valley City State's second victory over a Top 15 team this season.
Waldorf College drops to 5-2 overall and 0-1 in the NSAA. VCSU entered the game receiving votes in the latest NAIA Division II Top 25 Poll, while Waldorf College is ranked No. 15 in the poll. Since it is the only time the two teams will play this year, Friday's win is worth two points in the NSAA standings.
Playing on their home floor, the Vikings consistently won the hustle battle throughout the night, including a big 13-3 edge on the offensive glass.
Leading 29-24 with 2:49 remaining in the first half, VCSU scored eight straight points – including back-to-back thunderous dunks by LJ Booth – to build a 37-24 lead late in the first half.
Waldorf College responded with a 3-pointer by Erik Brewer to close the half, and then scored the first seven points of the second half to close the gap to 37-34.
VCSU's lead would remain between four and eight points for most of the next 10 minutes before pulling away. Leading 55-47 with nine minutes remaining, the Vikings distance themselves down the stretch, outscoring Waldorf 25-8 over the final nine minutes of play.
Four different Vikings scored in double figures, led by 18 points from Justyn Galloway. Jayden Ferguson added 16 points, including a team-high 10 in the first half. Nate Vieira hit three 3's and had 11 points and four assists. Nygel Drury finished with a near double-double, posting 10 points and nine rebounds.
LJ Booth added eight points and Rashad Satahoo chipped in six on a pair of 3-pointers.
Valley City State shot 46 percent from the field (31-67), 38 percent on 3's (8-21) and 71 percent on free throws (10-14).
Waldorf College made 38 percent of its shots (19-50) and was 21 percent on 3's (4-19). The Warriors went 13-for-19 at the free throw line.
June Prowell finished with 21 points and eight rebounds to lead Waldorf College. Tyler Parrish added 11 points off the bench.
Valley City State won the rebound battle, 38-25, including a 13-3 edge on the offensive glass.
Up next: Valley City State (9-1, 2-0 NSAA) host Johnson and Wales for a non-conference game on Saturday. Women tip at 2 p.m. and the men follow at 4 p.m. Waldorf College hits the road to Mayville State for a 4 and 6 p.m. doubleheader with the Comets on Saturday.
