Box Score

Valley City State University 98, Yellowjackets 73
 
Day two of the 6th Annual Merrill Thompson Tip-Off Classic took place Saturday. Game one of the day saw the Yellowjacket men's basketball team take on the Valley City State University Vikings. After falling to UW-River Falls in day one of the Classic, the Yellowjackets were looking for a much needed win. Things did not work out that way as the Yellowjackets fell to the Vikings 98-73.

This game was a tale of two halves for the Yellowjackets. Valley City State scored the first 10 points of the game before the Yellowjackets were able to get on the board with off of a Cade Stackpool (Virginia, Minn./Virginia) steal and layup. Things only got worse in the first half from there for the Yellowjackets, as they were unable to score or stop the Viking offense. The Yellowjackets went into the half trailing 49-23.

The Yellowjackets only managed to shoot 28.13% in the first half, hitting 2-12 from beyond the 3-point arc and going 6-9 from the free throw line.
In contrast, the Vikings shot 61.4% in the first half, hitting 3-5 3-pointers while going 14-15 from the free throw line.

The second half saw the Yellowjackets offense show up, as they were able to keep pace with Valley City State, matching them bucket-for-bucket in the half. The 23 point halftime deficit proved too much to overcome for the Yellowjackets, as they lost their third straight game to open the season.

Montroy Scott (Fridley, Minn./Columbia Heights) led the Yellowjackets offense with 20 points. Scott also had four assists.

Brian Lindblom (Spooner, Wis./Spooner) had 16 points, two rebounds, and three assists for the Yellowjackets. Zach Schradle (Clayton, Wis./Clayton) chipped in 11 points and six rebounds.

The Vikings were paced by Jayden Ferguson who had 21 points as well as four rebounds. Darryl Howell added 14 points, while L.J. Booth had 11 points and seven rebounds.

The Yellowjackets shot 40.3% from the field in the game, going 7-20 from beyond the 3-point arc and hitting 16-22 free throws.

Valley City State shot 61.4% from the field, hitting 9-13 from beyond the 3-point arc and going 19-22 from the free throw line.

The Yellowjackets committed 11 turnovers while the Vikings committed 13.

Next up for the Yellowjackets (0-3, 0-0 UMAC) is a trip to Sioux Falls, S.D. Tuesday, November 24 for and exhibition game against the University of Sioux Falls. Game time is set for 8:00 p.m.