HELENA, MONT. – Carroll College needed a late rally to avoid the upset in a 93-88 win over upset-minded Valley City State in Frontier Conference Men's basketball in Helena, Montana.

The Vikings are 5-11 overall and 1-10 in the Frontier Conference. The Saints are 12-4 overall and 10-1 in the conference.

Kaleb Larson was feeling it early. The senior from West Fargo scored 14 of the Vikings first 18 points, including 4 for 4 from three-point range. A fade way, baseline jumper by JR Cison gave the Vikings a 20-10 lead with 13:45 to go in the first half before the Saints took a time out. The two teams went back and forth for most of the half. The Vikings' biggest lead was at 14 points. The Saints got the lead down to five on a layup by Lorence De La Cruz made it 31-26 with 6:50 to go in the first half. The Vikings then went on a 13-4 run to take a 14-point lead. A three-pointer by JR Cison made it 43-30, then Jaelyn Johnson made one of two free throws to make it 44-30 Vikings with 3:46 to go in the first half. The Saints would score the last four points of the half to make the score 44-34 VCSU at halftime.

Carroll started the second half on a 16-1 run, including the first 13 points, to take a 50-45 lead. A three-point play by Cison started a 13-0 run for Valley City State to give the Vikings a seven-point lead. Another three-point play for Cison made the score 57-50 VCSU with13:51 to go in the second half. A 9-2 run by Carroll College tied the game. Three free throws by Gavin Gross made it 59-59 with 11:50 to go in the second half. The Vikings then went on a 9-2 run themselves to take the seven-point lead back. A basket inside by Logan Deal made it 68-61 with 9:26 to go in the half.

A 7-0 run by Carroll tied the game at 68-68, then the teams' traded baskets. With the game tied at 71, the Vikings went on a 7-2 run to take a five-point lead with 6:13 to go in the second half. The Saints then went on a 9-2 run to take the lead back. A three-pointer by Isiah Crane from the top of the key gave the Saints an 82-80 lead with 3:00 to go in the second half. The Saints would use a 16-4 run to take an 89-82 lead on the way to a 93-88 win.

JR Cison scored 21 of his game high 31 in the second half for Valley City State. He would also hand out four assists. Kaleb Larson scored 20 of his 25 in the first half, including six three-pointers. Jaelyn Johnson had 13 points and a team high eight rebounds. Taylor Bryant-Frey added nine points, and Alex Lester grabbed seven rebounds.

Up Next: The Vikings host Bismarck State College on Friday, January 16^th which starts a five-game home stand for VCSU. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m. at the Bubble.