VALLEY CITY (VCSU) – The Valley City State men's basketball team continued a build a late-season surge Friday night, pulling away from Viterbo University in the second half for a 68-52 conference victory.

The Vikings used a 26-9 run in the second half to open up their biggest lead of the game at 66-42. VCSU improves to 10-15 overall and 4-9 in conference play. Viterbo drops to 14-10 overall and 6-6 in the North Star.

The Vikings started the season 1-7 in conference play but are now 3-2 over their last five NSAA contests. VCSU remains in ninth in the NSAA standings, but is now just a game back of three teams in the win column: Waldorf University, Presentation College and Dakota State. The top eight teams in the conference qualify for the NSAA Postseason Tournament.

Viking forward Austin Dunbar – who missed both of last weekend's game with an illness – made an instant impact in his return to the lineup Friday night. The senior posted his sixth double-double of the season with 14 points and 10 rebounds. VCSU senior Jayden Ferguson led all scorers with 20 points, including three 3-pointers. Jake Skelly hit two 3's and scored eight points off the bench, and Alex Quist, Justyn Galloway and Hunter McCalla all added six points in the victory. Six Vikings had at least two assists in the game as VCSU assisted on 15 of their 26 field goals.

The Vikings made 10 3-pointers in the game and went 5-for-9 from deep in the second half. All five of their second-half 3's game during the game-changing 26-9 run. The Vikings led 40-33 with 15 minutes to play before the big run opened up their biggest lead of the game at 66-42 with 4:19 to go. VCSU had a 51-39 lead with 10 minutes left and then turned up the heat from outside. Logan Nelson and Ferguson each hit 3-pointers, and Quist followed with back-to-back 3's to help the Vikings build their 24-point lead.

The two teams have now split their two meetings this season. Viterbo won the first contest, 64-45 in La Crosse, Wis.

Ethan Haberman led the V-Hawk offense with 12 points and eight rebounds. Jason Tichy added 11 points on three 3-pointers. Jared Fleischmann scored nine points and dished four assists.

Viterbo shot 38 percent from the field (21-56), 24 percent from 3-point range (5-21) and 63 percent at the line. Valley City State finished at 44 percent overall (26-59), 42 percent from the 3-point line (10-24) and just 43 percent on free throws.

The Vikings held a 36-28 rebounding advantage, and both teams committed just nine turnovers.

Viking head coach Ryan Montgomery made his return to the sideline Friday night after taking a month-long leave of absence to attend to health issues in his family. The Viking faithful showed their support for Coach Montgomery and his family with an erupting cheer in starting lineups.

Up next: Valley City State University hosts Dickinson State on Saturday for a doubleheader at 3 and 5 p.m. Saturday is Senior Day at VCSU. Viterbo University travels to Dakota State on Saturday for games at 3/5 p.m.