SIOUX CITY, IOWA - Grand View men's basketball traveled to Sioux City to close out non-conference play in 2023; the Vikings led the 17th-ranked Morningside University Mustangs at the halfway point, but the Vikings would drop a nailbiter 95-84.

HOW IT HAPPENED: 
Both teams were left scoreless in the opening minute; Morningside, however, would collect the first basket of the afternoon in the paint. Both teams connected from three, but the Mustangs held the 5-3 advantage in the early minutes. Morningside controlled a six-point advantage, but the Vikings rallied for an 11-3 run to lead by three by the media timeout. The game's high scorer, Jacob Koontz, would score in the paint to bring both teams to 23s. Markell Hood scored on three to give Grand View a five-point lead. The following possessions would be alternating answers: Noah Hart hit a jumper, and the following play for the Mustangs resulted in a three-pointer that put them within two heading into the final half, 44-42.

Every time the Mustangs began to pull away in the second half, the Vikings would creep back into the contest. Koontz dominated the painting Saturday afternoon, setting the Vikings up for a chance to regain the lead. Another dagger of a three from Morningside would trouble the Vikings, and the Mustangs gained their largest lead of the half with a 14-point advantage. The Vikings were able to chip the lead down to just eight points with another score from Koontz, but the Mustangs would continue to score after empty possessions from GVU, resulting in a loss of 95-84.


GAME NOTES: 

• Jacob Koontz led the Vikings with 28 points on a perfect 13-13 from the field.
• Four Vikings finished in double digits: Jaxson Young, 15, and Connor Robertson and Markell Hood with 11.
• The Vikings and Mustangs tied seven times throughout the contest.  

 WHAT'S NEXT?
Grand View will open 2024 with a test against the Pride of Clarke University. The game will tip off on Wednesday, January 3^rd, at 7:30 p.m.