In the was the bench that helped pull the Vikings boys basketball past the Duluth Central Trojans for a season opening win Dec. 2 in Duluth.

The bench tallied 39 points in a 71-59 win against the Trojans.

Junior starter Jake Chambers led the team in scoring with 20 points on 7-11 from the floor.

"We played pretty well for a first game. I was real pleased with our intensity and hustle," head coach Bill Baumann said. "Our depth was a major factor as we were able to wear them down over time. We shot the ball pretty well and we made free throws when we needed them."

Nick Perrin added 17 points and four steals in the win. Ryan Norman also contributed, hitting six of six from the free throw line and adding 14 points.

Turnovers and some defensive breakdowns proved to be vexing for the Vikings in the game. North Branch committed 25, something coach Baumann said they will need to work on. But, he remains optimistic that those things will be improved upon as the season progresses.

North Branch was in command most of the game - their largest lead of the night was 20 points. At halftime the Vikings led 31-25.

"We had some good first game performances. The kids are responding to our up tempo style and realize we have to play that way to give ourselves an opportunity to win," Baumann said.

Now that the Vikings have the first win under their belt, they can start chipping away at their North Suburban Conference games.

"This year we play 20 conference games and it's going to be a grueling challenge," Baumann said.