VALLEY CITY, N.D. – The Valley City State University men's basketball team completed a 17-point comeback in the in the second half earning a 66-65 win over Dickinson State in the last six seconds of the game Saturday.
 
The Vikings improve to 12-12 on the season and 3-9 in NSAA games. The Blue Hawks fall to 14-10 overall and 9-3 in NSAA games.
 
Dickinson State started off strong earning a nine-point lead in the first 10 minutes of the game. The Blue Hawks grew its lead into the double digits just before halftime. They finished the half with a 40-27, 13-point lead after a pair of free throws made by Trey Stevens.
 
At the half the Vikings shot 11-28 from the field, 1-9 from the three-point line and 4-5 from the free throw line. Valley City was led by Jaden Patcha with eight points, two rebounds, and one steal. Odier Olange had seven points and three rebounds.
 
Dickinson State shot 15-26 from the field, 3-8 from the three-point line, and 7-7 from the free throw line. The Blue Hawk were led by John Evans with 13 points, two blocks and a rebound. Kose Egbule tallied seven points, four rebounds, and two steals.
 
To start the second half the Blue Hawks grew their lead to 17 with the score of 51-36 with 15:20 remaining in the game. The Vikings were persistent chipping away at the Blue Hawks lead. With 13 minutes remaining the Vikings scored seven unanswered with a bucket made by Ousseynou Ngom, a three by Shaheed Muhammad, and a layup by Lamar Grayson making the score 55-47.
 
The Vikings continued to play aggressive on defense while finding baskets on the other end of the court. The Vikings clawed within five with 4:35 remaining with a score of 57-52. Down the stretch the Vikings stayed withing two possessions for the last two minutes.
 
With 1:19 remaining the Shaheed Muhammad knocked down a three making the score 65-62, getting within three. After a defensive stand, Lamar Grayson marched down the court and made a quick layup with 37 seconds left. With 12 seconds left the Vikings stopped DSU and followed the stop with a fast break layup by Grayson to take a 66-65 lead. Dickinson had one last look on a mid-range shot that came up short and the Vikings completed an unbelievable 17-point comeback.
 
The Vikings finished the game shooting 28-54 from the field, 4-14 from the three-point line, and 6-8 from the free throw line. VCSU was led by Lamar Grayson with 20 points, five rebounds, and one assist. Tyrel Creger tallied 11 points, six assists, and six rebounds.
 
The Blue Hawks shot 22-49 from the field, 5-18 from the three-point line, and 16-18 from the free throw line. They were led by John Evans with 23 points and a rebound. Kose Egbule had 11 points, six rebounds, and an assist.
 
UP NEXT – The Vikings are headed to Bellevue to on Friday, Feb. 14 playing a women's and men's doubleheader at 5:30/7:30 p.m.