SCHOOL NAME

VCSU's late run comes up short

2/9/2024 10:51:00 PM

VALLEY CITY – A second-half rally fell just short for the VCSU men's basketball team on Friday night.
 
After trailing by 13 points midway through the second half, the Vikings trimmed their deficit to just one point late in the game against Viterbo University. But a big 3-pointer by Cole Crubel pushed the V-Hawk lead back to four points with 38 seconds remaining, and Viterbo sealed a 93-81 win at the free throw line.
 
The Vikings drop to 10-13 overall and 2-7 in conference play. The V-Hawks improves to 10-14 overall and 4-5 in the North Star Athletic Association.
 
VCSU's Cleveland Bedgood led all scorers Friday with 22 points, including an 11-for-11 night at the free throw line. Odier Olange posted a big double-double of 18 points and 11 rebounds. Lamar Grayson put in 15 points and Cayden Rickard added 10 points – including eight late in the second half that sparked VCSU's run.
 
Viterbo had balanced scoring with five reaching double figures. Nick Malovrh and Crubel each poured in 17 points. Ben Olson scored 16. Jack Monis added 15 points and Dakota Mannel chipped in 14 points and six rebounds.
 
Viterbo University shot 54 percent overall (32-59), 42 percent on 3's (5-12) and 89 percent at the line (24-27). Valley City State finished the game at 45 percent from the field (26-58), 36 percent on 3's (8-22) and 91 percent at the line (21-23).
 
The V-Hawks led 49-36 at halftime after shooting 63 percent in the first half. The Vikings trailed 72-61 with 8 minutes remaining, but Cayden Rickard scored the next 8 points as he ignited a 13-4 run that pulled the Vikings to within 76-74 with 4:30 to go. A 3-pointer by VCSU's Caden Grinde trimmed to deficit to 82-81 with 1 minutes remaining, but Crubel sank his back-breaking 3-pointer on Viterbo's next possession as the V-Hawks held on.
 
Up next: Valley City State has its regular season home finale on Saturday, hosting Waldorf University. The women's game tips at 3 p.m. and the men follow at 5 p.m. VCSU will recognize its two seniors – Adriana Torres and Cleveland Bedgood – during Senior Day ceremonies.