DICKINSON, N.D. – Valley City State University men's basketball fall to No. 1 seed Dickinson State University 84-73 in the semifinals of the NSAA Postseason Tournament.
The Vikings season concludes with a 15-14 overall record. The Blue Hawks advance to the NSAA Postseason Tournament Finals to host the University of Jamestown on Tuesday, March 4 at 8:00 p.m. CT. The Blue Hawks boast and overall record of 18-10.
The Vikings had a small edge for most of the first half. At their highest the held a 27-18 lead with 8:17 remaining after a Jayden Patch jumper. The Blue Hawks battled down the in the final minute of the half cutting down on the Viking lead eventually tying the game at 39-39 with a Kose Egbule three in the last seconds of the half.
At halftime, the Vikings were led by
Tyrel Creger,
Shaheed Muhammad, and
Odier Olange with eight points each. The Vikings shot 15-33 from the field, 3-12 from the three-point line, and 6-6 from the free throw line.
Dickinson State shot 14-28 from the field, 5-8 from the three-point line, and 6-8 from the free throw line. They were led Kose Egbule.
In the second half Dickinson State jumped out to an early lead holding a 1-2 possession lead until 9:58 remaining when Ladarious Stanfield hit a two giving the Vikings a 61-60 lead. Dickinson answered reclaiming the lead on their next possession and grew it into the double digits with 4:38 remaining. In the last four minutes the Vikings fought hard earning baskets, but it wasn't enough to reel in the Blue Hawks. The game came to an end with the score of 84-73.
In the end the Vikings shot 26-64 from the field, 5-15 from the three-point line, and 13-14 from the free throw line.
Shaheed Muhammad put up 20 points shooting 6-11 from the three-point line and 2-2 from the free throw line. He also tallied six rebounds and two steals.
Jayden Patcha had 16 points, seven rebounds, a steal and assist.
Tyrel Creger and
Odier Olange had 12 points each.
Dickinson State finished the game shooting 29-55 from the field, 8-15 from the three-point line and 18-25 from the free throw line. They were led by Kose Egbule with 29 points and 10 rebounds.
