SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Valley City State's men's basketball team rallied from a 15-point second half deficit Saturday night, outscoring Dakota Wesleyan 33-11 over the final 9:30 en route to an 84-77 victory at the NAIA Basketball Classic in Sioux Falls.

The Vikings trailed 66-51 with 9:35 remaining before completely turning the momentum. Back-to-back 3's by Edmon Oyet and Duke Carey capped a 21-3 run that saw the Vikings completely erase the 66-51 deficit and take a 72-69 lead on Carey's 3-pointer with 4 minutes remaining.

VCSU would lead the rest of the way and secured the victory at the Sanford Pentagon with six points in the final minute, including a basket inside by Joseph Owens and two free throws each by Hunter Lyman and Duoth Gach.

It is the third straight year that VCSU's men have defeated Dakota Wesleyan at the NAIA Basketball Classic. Last year's win came on a last-second shot, and this year's victory was just about as dramatic. Through the first 30 minutes, Dakota Wesleyan seemed to have the immediate answer every time VCSU would start to mount some momentum. The Tigers led 44-34 at halftime and extended the lead to as many as 16 points at 61-45 in the second half.

Six different Vikings scored during VCSU's 21-3 run that flipped the momentum and gave VCSU their first lead of the second half.

Duoth Gach poured in a game-high 28 points to lead VCSU's offense. The senior guard knocked down three 3's and shot 11-for-18 from the field. Sophomore post Joseph Owens had his best game as a Viking, shooting 8-for-11 and finishing with 21 points, five rebounds and three assists. Cayden Rickard had 12 points and and two steals, and senior Daevonte Munson finished with 11 points and team-highs of eight rebounds and four steals.

Valley City State shot 53 percent overall (33-62), 38 percent on 3's (6-16) and 80 percent at the line (12-15). Dakota Wesleyan shot 48 percent overall (27-56), 39 percent on 3's (14-36) and 60 percent on free throws (9-15).

VCSU held a 35-27 rebounding advantage, including an 11-7 edge in offensive rebounds. The Vikings held a 14-11 edge in turnovers.

VCSU is now 3-1 overall. Saturday's game was the season opener for Dakota Wesleyan. Valley City State had defeated Dakota Wesleyan each of the past two years in one possession games at the Pentagon.

Up next: Valley City State faces Mount Marty University on Sunday at the Sanford Pentagon. The women tip at 12 p.m. and the men follow at 2 p.m.