Valley City Hi-Liners Fall to Kindred Vikings in Tight Road Game

Miken Mattson and Brooks Bakko put on a scoring duel, but Kindred pulled away late for the 63-46 victory.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 3:15am

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The Valley City Hi-Liners put up a more competitive effort after a tough couple of games, but ultimately fell to the Kindred Vikings 63-46 on the road. The game featured a high-scoring duel between Valley City's Miken Mattson and Kindred's Brooks Bakko, who each scored over 20 points in the first half. However, Kindred was able to pull away in the second half, led by Bakko's 38-point performance.

Why it matters

The Hi-Liners were looking to bounce back after a disappointing stretch, and this game showed they can compete with top teams in the region. However, they were unable to overcome Kindred's firepower, particularly from Bakko. This loss drops Valley City's record and raises questions about their ability to challenge the top teams in their conference.

The details

The game started as a scoring battle between Mattson and Bakko, with each player scoring 10 points in the opening quarter. Kindred built a lead in the second quarter, but Mattson kept Valley City in it, also scoring 22 points in the first half. The third quarter turned into a defensive struggle, allowing Kindred to pull away for good in the fourth quarter.

  • The game was played on January 27, 2026.
  • Valley City will return to action on Thursday, January 30, 2026 against the Devils Lake Firebirds.

The players

Miken Mattson

A player for the Valley City Hi-Liners who scored 29 points in the loss.

Brooks Bakko

A player for the Kindred Vikings who led all scorers with 38 points.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

The takeaway

This game highlighted the Hi-Liners' ability to compete with top teams, but also their need to find ways to slow down dominant individual performances like Bakko's. As they look to the rest of the season, Valley City will need to find more consistent scoring and defensive solutions to challenge the conference's elite.