DICKINSON, N.D. – The Valley City State men's basketball team defeated Montana State University Northern 68-60 Friday at the Dickinson State University Classic. The Vikings improve to 7-2 on the season. MSUN is now 1-5 on the season.
 
It took a little while for each team to find some offense. The Vikings took the first two possession lead of the game a seven-point run moving from down 6-4 to up 11-6. Leo Sewell knocked down a three to stop the Viking run. The Vikings grew that lead back to 16-9 after a three made by Jayden Patcha.
 
Later in the half, the Vikings found another 7-point run building its lead to 23-13. MSUN responded quickly scoring six unanswered, making it 23-19. Closing the first half the MSUN cut VCSU's lead to just one point at 33-32.
 
In the second half the Vikings created some separation after a three-point play by Agwa Nywesh. With a 42-37 lead Lamar Grayson made a pair of free throws and a two-point field goal in the next possession creating the biggest lead of the game at 46-37.
 
The Viking men kept a six-to-ten-point lead for most of remainder of the second half. With 1:24 left in the contest, MSUN made a pair of free throws that closed the gap to six. Cinque Maxwell created a steal that resulted in another basket and then the gap was only four with 53 seconds remaining. With the score 62-58 Lamar Grayson was sent to the line and hit a couple of clutch free throws. Then Caden Grinde generated a steal and put the game away, 68-60.
 
VCSU was led by Lamar Grayson who tallied 20 points, five rebounds, one assist and steal. He was followed by Tyrel Creger who scored 12 points, three rebounds, one assist and steal. VCSU shot 45 percent from the field (25-56), 32 percent from the 3-point line (5-16), and 62 percent from the free throw line (13-21).
 
MSUN was led by Cinque Maxwell and Raefe McEnroe who both had 13 points and two assists. MSUN shot 39 percent from the field (22-56), 37 from the 3-point line (7-19), and 75 percent from the free throw line (9-12).
 
UP NEXT: The Vikings face (RV) Rocky Mountain College Saturday at the Dickinson State Thanksgiving Classic.