SIOUX FALL, S.D. – Cleveland Bedgood poured in a game-high 30 points and the Viking defense forced 25 turnovers Saturday night in an 88-81 win over Mount Marty University.
 
Playing at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D., the VCSU men's basketball team trailed 41-35 at halftime and 45-35 early in the second half, but the Vikings turned it on over the final 19 minutes of play. VCSU shot 62 percent from the field in the second half (16-26) and went 21-for-25 at the free throw line as they outscored Mount Marty 53-36 over the final 19 minutes of the game.
 
VCSU went on a 25-7 run early in the second half, turning their 45-35 deficit into a 60-52 lead with 11 minutes remaining. Mount Marty would eventually tie the game at 62-62, but VCSU regained the lead and held it the rest of the way, going 11-for-12 on free throws over the final 3 minutes to seal the victory.
 
Bedgood filled up the stat sheet with team-highs of 30 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals.  Jerome Washington also had three steals as the Viking defense forced 25 turnovers that led to 31 points.
 
Lamar Grayson continued to be a spark off the bench, scoring 17 points on 83 percent shooting. Grayson had now scored double figures in all four games this season and is averaging 15.5 points coming off the bench. Odier Olange put up 12 points, three rebounds and two blocks Saturday, and Hunter Lyman had eight points and six rebounds in the win.
 
The Vikings shot 47 percent overall (27-57), 17 percent on 3's (3-18) and 72 percent on free throws (31-43). Mount Marty shot 45 percent from the field (29-64), 37 percent on 3's (13-35) and 63 percent at the line (10-16).
 
Tash Lunday led Mount Marty with 27 points, which included four 3-pointers.
 
Up next: Valley City State finished its South Dakota road trip on Sunday at Dakota Wesleyan. The women's game tips at 3 p.m. with the men to follow at 5 p.m.