DICKINSON, N.D. --  The Battlin' Bears torched Valley City's zone defense with 52% shooting from the field and 17 made three-pointers as Rocky ran past the Vikings 108-80. 

Both teams went back and forth through the first few minutes of play, as a pair of free throws from Maxim Stephens gave Rocky a one-point lead with 12:22 remaining in the half. Stephens' free throws would spark a run that gave the Battlin' Bears a lead they would hold through the remainder of the game. Over the next four minutes, the Rocky men would rattle off a 21-4 run extending their lead into double digits, as the Battlin' Bears would take a 50-40 lead into the half. 

Elliott Brooks got the Battlin' Bears going in the second half, hitting his first two three-point attempts on the first two offensive possessions, followed by a midrange jumper for eight straight points. Every time Valley City State would start a run to cut into their deficit, the Battlin' Bears were able to answer, leading up to an 18-2 run that sealed the Rocky victory midway through the second half. 

The Battlin' Bears finished with three players with 20+ points and five in double figures. Maxim Stephens led all scorers with 24 points on 10-of-14 shooting and grabbing eight rebounds. Jesse Owens scored a season-high 23 points with 4-of-4 shooting from three-point range and hitting all 11 free throw attempts, while also dishing seven assists and swiping two steals. Elliott Brooks tied his career high with six three-pointers on the day, tallying 21 points. Cameron Quinnell grabbed 10 rebounds off the bench. 

Rocky shot 52.9% from the field (36-of-68), 50% from three-point range (17-of-34), and hit 19-of-22 of their free throw attempts.