BALDWIN CITY, KS – No. 18 Grand View traveled south to compete against the Baker University Wildcats. The Viking's clutch performance from the free throw line would ice the contest for the Vikings as they escaped with a 74-65 victory. 

HOW IT HAPPENED: 
Grand View struck first in the contest to open things up on the road. Rachel Leerar connected on a three by the second minute. The Vikings held an 11-point advantage after hitting another three, this time coming from three-point specialist Anna Gossling. The Wildcats would cut into the Viking's lead before the conclusion of the first quarter after hitting a three-pointer of their own.

Baker would come out swinging in the second quarter, forcing the Vikings into a 30-second timeout as their lead diminished to only four points. After the timeout, Grand View got some offensive moving with an attack to the basket from Ella Larsen. Larsen connecting on both free throws would grow the Viking's lead to 28-20. A 5-2 Baker run would leave Grand View with a close one at the halfway point, 33-31.

The Vikings and Wildcats would battle things out in the early goings following halftime. Murray connected on a three to boost the GVU lead to four, but an answer from the Wildcats on the following possession would put them back within one point. After a lead extension, BU would be persistent on offense, keeping themselves within reaching distance as they closed out the second half trailing Grand View, 56-51.

The fourth quarter would keep fans on the edge of their seats. The Wildcats kept things within one point for two minutes until the Vikings found an insurance lead of five after Kaylyn Meyers connected on two bonus free throws. Grand View would knock in 12-14 free throws down the stretch to survive the Wildcat's second-half push, escaping with a 74-65 victory.

GAME NOTES: 

• The Vikings hit 12-14 free throws down the stretch to secure the win over Baker. 
• Grand View shot 85.71%, a season-high percentage from the line.  
• Four Vikings finished in double figures. Murray and Gossling with 19, Larsen with 17, and Leerar with 13. 

 WHAT'S NEXT?
Grand View will have a quick turnaround as they prepare for Missouri Valley on Monday afternoon to make up for the previously canceled game due to the blizzard. The contest will tip off at 5:00 p.m. in Marshall, MO.