VALLEY CITY, N.D. (Interstat) — Two North Dakota NAIA rivals seeking momentum will meet Saturday when the Valley City State Vikings host the Mayville State Comets in a men’s basketball contest at W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse.

The matchup features teams with struggling overall records but coming off recent conference victories. Valley City State (5-11) enters following a 96-92 home win over Dickinson State on Jan. 17, powered by a 22-point performance from Joel Nelson off the bench. Mayville State (2-11) snapped a five-game skid with an 80-76 home victory over Dickinson State on Jan. 16, led by Christian Bowen-Webb’s 17 points and five assists.

Bowen-Webb, a key player for the Comets, has shown high-scoring potential, including a 27-point outing in a double-overtime loss on Jan. 3. He will be a focal point for Mayville State’s offense. The Vikings counter with Nelson, who provides efficient scoring punch, having reached double figures in two of his last five games despite limited minutes.

The teams’ most recent head-to-head meeting was a tight affair, with Mayville State earning an 85-82 home win over Valley City State on Nov. 18, 2025. Saturday’s game offers the Vikings a chance for redemption on their home floor.

Both squads have faced challenging schedules, particularly against Montana-based Frontier Conference opponents, contributing to their records. The game represents an opportunity for either team to string together consecutive wins for the first time this season.

Valley City State holds the home-court advantage and a slight edge in the win column, but the Comets’ confidence will be buoyed by their recent win and their earlier season victory in the series. Controlling the tempo and limiting turnovers will be critical for both sides in what projects to be a closely contested regional rivalry game.

Tip-off is set for Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, in Valley City.