DES MOINES, IOWA — The Vikings and Ravens of Benedictine College met on Tuesday evening for a Heart of America Conference match-up. The Vikings were able to snap a four-game conference losing skid with a gritty second half that was too much for the Ravens to handle as they pulled one out down to the wire, 73-69.
Conner Robertson led the Viking charge in the first half; the sharpshooter connected on 3-of-4 three-pointers to lead all scorers for his team in the first half. A 5-0 run by the Vikings conducted by Noah Hart's connection on 3-straight free throws would tie things at 18 all. Roberston connected on a final three-pointer that gave GVU a cushion of a three-point lead at halftime.
The Vikings opened up the second half with a surge following another 5-0 run; the Ravens struggled to contain the Vikings around the perimeter as Markell Hood hit a three-pointer in transition in the opening moments. A stretch of turnovers and cold shooting would allow Benedictine to climb out to a five-point lead; the Vikings received an impactful lift off the bench from sophomore guard Jaxson Young who rose up to a jumper to regain the lead 48-45. An acrobatic offensive board from Cecil Lee III paid off as he headed to the line to sink two free throws to give Grand View a four-point lead with just under seven minutes to play. Grand View's lead nearly stretched to double-digits, but the visiting team rallied for a deep three bringing themselves back within six. The Vikings were able to escape a late comeback attempt from the Ravens as Hart connected on 4 straight free throws to seal things, 73-69, snapping the Viking's four-straight conference drops.
The Vikings will hit the road southbound this weekend as they face the Wildcats of Culver-Stockton College. The two will meet on the court at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 9th in Canton, MO.
Team Notes
- Noah Hart shot 7-7 fom the line, four straight to seal the game for the Vikings.
- Four of the five Vikings starters finished in double-digits.
- The Vikings found 21-points off of Raven turnovers.
