CEDAR RAPIDS, IA: The Vikings headed East this afternoon as they took on the Mount Mercy Mustangs on Martin Luther King Day. Over the 40 minute contest the Vikings were able to control the ball and cruise to another decisive win over the Mustangs this season. With a final score of 76- 57 the Vikings picked up their 7th win overall and 4th win in conference play. 

HOW IT HAPPENED: 
The Mustangs would strike first as they capitalized on a Viking turnover to start the game before Jaxon Young would respond quickly with a jumper to tie the game and help the Vikings never look back as they never trailed again throughout the contest. The Vikings would find scoring help from all places in the first half as they had 7 different players register a point in route to opening up a 15 point lead at one point in the half. Some of that scoring came from the pair of Ayden Foster and Noah Hart as Hart assisted on two Foster layups within about a minute of play. Foster lef the way in the opening half as he scored ten points followed by Young who collected 9 of this own. Jacob Koontz played a big role in the early moments as he nearly had a double-double in the first half with 8 points and 7 rebounds to help lift Grand View to a 13 point lead going into halftime, 48-35. 

The Vikings wasted no time opening up the second half as Hart connected on a 3 pointer followed by a Koontz steal and dunk before the run was capped off by a Connor Robertson 3 pointer. And within the first 90 seconds of the second half the Vikings stretched their lead out to 21 points. Young and Koontz would keep providing offensive support for the Vikings as they combined for 14 of the teams 28 second half points. No matter what the Mustangs threw at the Vikings down the stretch they always had an answer and never allowed the Mustangs to get back within striking distance as their lead only grew. After checking in 15 different Vikings into the game Grand View was able to dribble out the clock as they secured the 76-57 Victory. 

GAME NOTES: 

• Vikings only shot 30% from beyond the arc but forced the Mustangs to shot 12% from long range 
• Grand Views bench outscored the Mustangs bench 31-14 
• The Viking defense forced 11 turnovers and generated 14 points from them 
• Koontz finished with a double-double, 11 rebounds and 14 points. 
• Move to 2-1 after the start of the new year

What is Next? 
The Vikings are back at home Thursday night as they take on the Graceland Yellow Jackets. Tip off is set for 7:30 following the woman's game.