VALLEY CITY – The Valley City State University men's basketball team took the country's No. 16-ranked team down to the wire Wednesday night but could not pull out the victory.

The Vikings and No. 16-ranked University of Jamestown were tied 67-67 with five minutes remaining before the Jimmies closed the game with an 18-8 run, making six free throws in the final minute to ice the game and pick up an 85-75 victory. The game featured 13 ties and nine lead changes – including six in the second half.

Valley City State drops to 0-7 on the season. The University of Jamestown improves to 6-1 overall.

Valley City State's last lead came with 10:25 remaining after Kevin Schramm scored five straight points and sank a 3-pointer to put the Vikings up 63-62. VCSU missed opportunities to extend the lead though as neither team scored over the next 2:20. Jamestown's Isaiah Dobson put the Jimmies ahead with a 3-pointer to end the drought with 8 minutes left. The Vikings would tie the game at 67-67 on Chris Thompson's 3 with 5:22 to go before Jamestown took control for good.

Jack Talley scored five straight points for the Jimmies to put them ahead 72-67. Leading 74-71, Jamestown's Terrell Alfred sank the dagger, a 3-pointer from the right wing that extended the lead to six points with 2:07 to go.

Schramm led the Vikings with 23 points, shooting 10-for-17 from the field, pulling down five rebounds and distributing five assists. Chris Thompson put in 13 points on 5-for-8 shooting, and Connor Entzi added 10. Hunter McCalla chipped in nine points and Cornelious scored seven off the bench.

The Vikings shot 48 percent from the field (29-60), 36 percent on 3's (9-25) and 73 percent on free throws (8-11). VCSU narrowly outshot the Jimmies, but Jamestown made four more 3-pointers and attempted five more shots than VCSU thanks in part to 13 offensive rebounds. The Jimmies finished the game at 46 percent overall (30-65), 46 percent on 3's (13-28) and 71 percent at the line (12-17).

VCSU controlled the ball well throughout the game, committing just six turnovers compared to 13 turnovers by the Jimmies. Jamestown picked up a big edge on the offensive glass as their 13 offensive rebounds led to an 18-0 advantage in second-chance points.

Jamestown had four players score in double figures, led by 23 points and four 3-pointers from Jack Talley. Mason Walters posted a double-double with 21 points and 10 rebounds.

The Vikings shot 56 percent in the first half, leading by as many as five points at 32-27 after back-to-back baskets by Michael Cornelious late in the half. Jamestown closed the first half with a 17-8 run – including four points in the final 3 seconds – to take a 44-40 lead into the locker room. VCSU outshot Jamestown in the first half – 56 percent to 46 percent – but the Jimmies pulled down 10 offense rebounds, leading to 37 shots in the first half compared to 27 for the Vikings.

Up next: Valley City State has 12 days off before resuming action Nov. 26 with an exhibition game at Minot State University.