MAYVILLE, N.D. – The Viking men's basketball team won its fifth straight game Friday night, opening North Star conference play with a 70-65 victory at Mayville State.

VCSU's five starters combined to score all 70 points in the game as the Vikings improved to 8-4 overall and 1-0 in conference play. Mayville State drops to 6-2 overall and 0-1 in the NSAA.

The Vikings trailed 23-16 with 7:43 remaining in the first half, but closed on a 14-4 run to take a 30-27 lead into halftime. VCSU extended the lead to 39-29 early in the second half before Mayville State scored 10 straight points to tie the game at 39-39.

From there the teams went back-and-forth until VCSU gained a 52-51 lead on a pair of free throws from Jayden Ferguson. The Vikings held a narrow lead the rest of the way, and Rashad Satahoo made four free throws in the final five seconds to ice the game.

Ferguson led VCSU with 20 points, including four 3-pointers. Austin Dunbar posted 19 points and eight rebounds. Satahoo went 10-for-10 on free throws as he finished with 17 points and seven rebounds. Alex Quist added 10 points, and Ellwood Ellenson had four points and seven rebounds.

VCSU shot 42 percent overall (21-50) but went 55 percent from the field in the second half. The Vikings shot 35 percent on 3-pointers (9-26) and 91 percent at the line (19-21).

Mayville State shot 39 percent overall (23-59), 47 percent on 3's (8-17) and 69 percent at the free throw line (11-16).

The Vikings held a 36-32 edge on the glass. VCSU had 10 assists and 13 turnovers, while the Comets had 10 assists and 10 turnovers.

Ferguson's 20 points moved him into 10th all-time in scoring at VCSU. He now has 1,262 career points, passing Brandon Bata's mark of 1,246 to move into the Top 10.

Up next: VCSU (8-4, 1-0 NSAA) will play at Presentation College on Saturday. Tip off of the men's game is set for 5 p.m.