VALLEY CITY, N.D. – The Valley City State men's basketball team is ready to begin a new season in front of its home crowd as the Vikings host Oak Hills Christian College on Tuesday, Oct. 27.
Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. at W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse. The home opener gives Viking fans their first opportunity to see the 2026-27 squad in action as VCSU begins its second season in the Frontier Conference.
Head coach Ryan Montgomery enters his 11th season leading the Vikings and brings a 137-149 career record into the new campaign. Valley City State finished 10-17 overall last season and returns six letterwinners.
Sophomore wing Joel Nelson, senior forward Logan Deal and sophomore forward Jaelyn Johnson are among the Vikings' key returners. Nelson, a Devils Lake, N.D., native, and Johnson, from Blue Island, Ill., return for their sophomore seasons, while Deal enters his senior campaign after joining the Vikings from Smithfield, Utah.
The roster also features senior guards Taylor Bryant-Frey and Maddox Griffin, senior forward Seydou Tamboura and redshirt junior guard Sam Kobbervig. Tuesday's game will also give fans a chance to see several newcomers, including freshmen Damian Pearson, Cole Hebrink and Aiden Hanson.
The Vikings will face an Oak Hills Christian team led by head coach Daved Lundeen. The Wolfpack roster includes a mix of juniors and seniors, with senior guard Keith Wilson, senior guard/wing Nate Vinson and senior forward Langyel McCracken among the players listed for Tuesday's matchup.
Tuesday's opener begins a three-game week for Valley City State. Following the matchup with Oak Hills Christian, the Vikings will face Hastings College on Friday, Oct. 30, before taking on Dakota Wesleyan on Saturday, Oct. 31. The weekend games give VCSU two more early-season tests before the Vikings return home to host the University of Minnesota Morris on Tuesday, Nov. 3.
Fans attending Tuesday's game are encouraged to join the Halloween fun by participating in VCSU's costume contest. Anyone is eligible to enter, and the winner will receive a prize and be announced at halftime. Costumes must be appropriate for all ages, and weapons or play weapons are not permitted.
