The North Star Athletic Association conference championship came down to overtime Saturday night in Valley City.
Presentation College's Calvin Carr scored inside with 36 seconds left in overtime, breaking an 81-81 tie as the Saints played spoiler with an 84-82 victory over Valley City State University.
The Viking men entered the night needing a victory to win the NSAA regular season title outright. Instead, the conference championship will be shared three ways as VCSU, Bellevue University and Dakota State all finish the season with 11 conference points.
VCSU rallied from an eight-point deficit in the final three minutes Saturday, forcing overtime on Nygel Drury's 3-pointer at the buzzer that tied the game at 79-79. But the Saints came out ahead in the low-scoring overtime, outscoring the Vikings 5-3 in the extra period.
Valley City State finishes the regular season at 20-9 overall and 8-5 in the North Star Athletic Association. Presentation College moves to 12-15 overall and 4-11 in conference play.
The men's North Star Athletic Association conference tournament begins Thursday. All games will be played at the higher seed in each contest.
Both Valley City State and Presentation College will anxiously await the announcement of the postseason pairings on Sunday. VCSU still has a chance to be the top seed, while the Saints are just hoping to make the tournament. The final spot in the eight-team tournament will likely come down to Viterbo and Presentation College.
VCSU trailed the Saints 76-68 with three minutes remaining in regulation on Saturday. The Vikings clawed to within one point at 77-76 after Darryl Howell's driving basket with six seconds remaining. Presentation's Donnell Minton made two free throws to push the lead back to 79-76 with five seconds left, but Howell hustled down the court and found Drury on the left wing for the tying 3 as time expired.
In overtime, Carr's bucket with 36 seconds left put the Saints up 83-81. The Vikings had two chances to tie but missed a shot in the lane and then Minton blocked a shot inside to get the ball back for the Saints. Trevor Flemmer made one free throw to push the lead to 84-81.
VCSU's Darryl Howell was fouled with four seconds left and made the first shot to make it 84-82. After Howell missed the second shot, VCSU got the offensive rebound and had a chance to win but Jayden Ferguson's long 3 at the buzzer was off the mark.
Ferguson scored 21 points for VCSU in the loss. Drury posted a double-double of 18 points and 10 rebounds, and Howell added 13 points and four assists.
The Vikings shot 44 percent overall (32-73), 38 percent from 3-point range (8-21) and 50 percent at the free throw line (10-20).
Calvin Carr had a monster double-double of 28 points and 15 rebounds – including seven offensive boards – to lead the Saints. Minton poured in 21 points, and Tre Erby added 10 points and eight rebounds.
The Saints shot 39 percent from the field (27-69), 42 percent on 3's (8-19) and 76 percent at the free throw line (22-29).
VCSU finished with 16 turnovers, 14 assists, six blocks and seven steals. The Saints had 18 turnovers, 14 assists, two blocks and five steals.
Up next: The Vikings will host a first round NSAA tournament game on Thursday. The Saints will wait to see if they make the tournament. Postseason pairings will be announced Sunday evening.
