VALLEY CITY – The Vikings and Jimmies played a gritty rivalry game Saturday evening, pushing each other shot-for-shot at VCSU's W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse. Jamestown came out on top, holding the Vikings off en route to an 89-78 victory in NAIA men's basketball.
 
Valley City State drops to 7-6 overall this season. The Vikings are back in action Jan. 3 with a non-conference game at the University of Minnesota-Morris. Jamestown improves its record to 7-7 overall.
 
The Jimmies never trailed in the game Saturday, holding the Vikings at bay for most of the contest. After trailing 40-33 at halftime, the Vikings scored the first seven points of the second half to tie the game at 40-40. Jamestown responded with five straight points, and the Vikings were unable to overcome the deficit. VCSU was within one possession several times in the second half, but Jamestown had an answer for every VCSU run. VCSU was within 78-73 late before the Jimmies sealed the victory with free throws down the stretch.
 
The Vikings shot 44 percent overall (28-63), 30 percent on 3's (6-20) and 80 percent at the line (16-20). Jamestown finished the game at 44 percent overall (33-75), 31 percent on 3's (9-29) and 64 percent at the line (14-22).
 
Cleveland Bedgood paced the Vikings with 19 points, six rebounds and six assists. Lamar Grayson scored 13 points off the bench, shooting 5-for-7. Ousseynou Ngom made his season debut with nine points and nine rebounds. Agwa Nywesh also made his season debut and totaled seven points and five rebounds for the Vikings. Odier Olange had a strong game off the bench with nine points, eight rebounds, four blocks and four assists. 
 
Jamestown had five players score in double figures, led by Will Cordes with 19 points. Silas Bennion totaled 16 points, while Cole Woodford and Christian Lietz each scored 14.
 
The men's game started about 45 minutes later than scheduled due to a 50-minute power outage delay that occurred during the women's game.
 
Up next: Valley City State is on the road on Wednesday, Jan. 3, for a 6 p.m. game at the University of Minnesota-Morris.