VALLEY CITY, N.D. – Every time the Valley City State men's basketball team found a little breathing room Tuesday night, Minnesota Morris had an answer.
The Vikings finally created enough separation down the stretch, using timely baskets from Taylor Bryant-Frey and late free throws to secure a 78-73 victory inside W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse.
Joel Nelson led four Vikings in double figures with 18 points and six rebounds, while Logan Deal finished with nine points and 13 rebounds, including six on the offensive end. Jaelyn Johnson added 13 points and six rebounds, and Bryant-Frey and Maddox Griffin scored 12 points apiece.
Neither team led by more than six points in a game that remained unsettled until the final seconds.
VCSU established an early 10-4 advantage behind Nelson and Griffin, but the Cougars quickly worked their way back. The teams traded baskets and the lead throughout the first half before Bryant-Frey delivered the final swing, knocking down a 3-pointer at the horn to send the Vikings into halftime ahead 38-36.
The second half brought more of the same. Minnesota Morris repeatedly edged in front, and VCSU kept responding.
Trailing 55-53 with just under eight minutes remaining, Nelson converted a three-point play to put the Vikings back on top. Johnson followed with a three-point play of his own, and another Nelson free throw completed a 7-0 run that gave VCSU a 60-55 advantage.
The Cougars stayed within reach, eventually pulling even at 66-66 with 4:39 remaining. Jayger Meschke answered with a layup on the next possession, giving the Vikings a lead they would hold the rest of the way.
Nelson added two free throws, and Deal made another to stretch the margin to five. Bryant-Frey then supplied two important finishes in the final two minutes, including a layup with 1:06 remaining that pushed VCSU ahead 75-69.
Minnesota Morris made one last charge. Truman DeGrange connected from beyond the arc, and a Kaden Pieper free throw brought the Cougars within 75-73 with 11 seconds left. Deal calmly knocked down two free throws with nine seconds remaining, and Meschke added one more in the closing seconds to finish the win.
VCSU shot 48.5 percent from the field and held a 39-28 rebounding advantage. Meschke contributed seven points, two assists and two blocks, while Griffin also blocked two shots.
DeGrange led Minnesota Morris with 22 points, and Carvin Fish added 21 points and six rebounds.
UP NEXT: Valley City State hosts Trinity Bible College on Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 7:30 p.m. inside W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse.
