JAMESTOWN - With the depth of teams in North Star Athletic Association men's basketball this season, everyone knew it would be awfully tough for a team to run the table. That was made clear Wednesday night as the final two undefeated teams fell on the road.
Dickinson State lost on the road at Mayville State, and in Jamestown the Viking men's perfect conference run ended with a 96-90 loss to University of Jamestown.
The Jimmies started the game with a 15-2 run and never trailed from there. VCSU fought back to within one point twice in the second half, but could not complete the comeback.
In a feisty rivalry game, the two teams were whistled for 69 fouls and combined to attempt 100 free throws. Valley City State had five players foul out while the Jimmies lost three players to fouls.
Valley City State, ranked No. 12 in the nation, drops to 16-5 overall and is now 4-1 in conference play. Jamestown improves to 10-7 overall and is now 2-2 in the conference. The Vikings and Jimmies have now split the season series. VCSU won the first meeting one week ago, 75-69 in Valley City.
The Jimmies led by as many as 17 in the first half Wednesday at 27-10. VCSU fought back to within 38-29 and Jamestown led 48-36 at the halftime break. The first half devolved into a free-throw shooting contest over the final 10 minutes. The teams were whistled for a combined 31 fouls leading to 43 free throw attempts in the first half.
Darryl Howell, who led the Vikings with 15 first-half points, picked up his fourth personal foul early in the second half and headed to the bench with the Vikings trailing 55-42. The Vikings rallied without Howell, getting a five-point possession by Jayden Ferguson on their next trip down the floor. That sparked an 12-0 run by the Vikings over a 3-minute stretch, closing the gap to 55-54.
Jamestown responded with back-to-back 3's by Jacob Hagler and Brequan Tucker, pushing the lead quickly back up to 61-54. Nate Vieira's 3-pointer with 8:11 remaining again pulled the Vikings to within one point at 67-66. The Jimmies scored the next eight points to regain control of the game. A 3-pointer by Howell pulled the Vikings to within 89-85 with 50 seconds remaining, but Jamestown made enough free throws in the final minute to hold off VCSU.
With so many free throw attempts, the game ultimately came down to who shot better at the line. That went to the Jimmies, who finished 50-for-59 at the line for 85 percent. Valley City State went 26-for-41 at the line for 63 percent.
Darryl Howell scored 29 points to lead four Vikings in double figures. He went 7-for-12 from the field and 13-for-17 at the free throw line. Jayden Ferguson finished with 19 points on 7-for-14 shooting. Justyn Galloway posted a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds, and Nygel Drury finished with 17 points and eight rebounds.
Jamestown was led by Jake Hagler who scored 32 points. Hagler finished 17-for-19 at the free throw line and was 7-for-11 from the field. Brequan Tucker scored 27 points for the Jimmies and was 14-for-15 at the free throw line.
The Vikings finished with 11 assists, three stelae and 12 turnovers. Jamestown finished with five assists, three steals and 14 turnovers. VCSU finished with 35 rebounds, including 18 offensive boards. The Jimmies finished with 32 rebounds.
Up next: Valley City State (16-5, 4-1 NSAA) travels to Presentation College on Saturday for a women's and men's doubleheader. Women tip at 4 p.m. and the men follow at 6 p.m. in Aberdeen, S.D.
