DES MOINES, IA- The Vikings got off to a slow start as they challenged conference opponent Clarke University in the opening game of 2024. After a feverish comeback in the second half which saw three Vikings scoring in double figures in the last 20 minutes. The Vikings were able to outlast the Pride with a trio of made free throws with .7 seconds left to seal the 74-73 win. 

HOW IT HAPPENED: The Vikings got off to a slow start and struggled to shot the ball in the first half as they only connected on 35.48% of their shots along with posting a 1-10 mark from beyond the arc. The Vikings had to fight an uphill battle early on as they went down 9-0 to start the game. Bit Jacob Koontz and Markell Hood connected on back to back 2 point shots that got the Vikings rolling. The Vikings were able to cut the lead to 4 as the teams headed for the bench at the media timeout where the Vikings would draw up a play that sprung Hood free to hit another jumper bringing the Vikings within 2 points. The Pride would respond with a short run of their own before Cecil Lee III took back the momentum as he hammered home a dunk with 5:03 left in the half. Jaxson Young would connect on a layup in the final ten seconds of the half to send the teams to the locker room with the Vikings trailing, 37-26. 

The second half saw the Vikings offense come alive as Young and Koontz kept connecting on the 2-man game early on before Hood splashed a 3 to tie the game up at 39 a piece. The teams would continue to trade baskets until the Pride were able to stretch their lead back out to 11 points with under 6 minutes remaining. Lee and Koontz would each connect on a pair of free throws to start the late rally from the Vikings. With under a minute to play the Pride clung to a 5 point lead before Lee swatted away a shot at the rim that allowed the Vikings to free up Hood on the other end to cash in a 3 pointer to cut the lead to 2 points. Out of the following timeout the Viking defense stood tall and forced a bad shot giving Connor Robertson the defensive rebound before he would attempt the final shot where he was fouled behind the 3 point line. Despite the Prides attempt to ice him between free throws by taking timeouts he connected on all three shots and sent the Vikings home with a 74-73 Victory. 

GAME NOTES: 

• Vikings dominated in the paint outscoring the Pride 44-24
• Vikings shot 52.9% in the second half
• Only shot 16.7% from behind the arc 
• Koontz posted a double-double
• Three Vikings in double figures 

WHAT'S NEXT? The Vikings take the court again next Wednesday, January 10th, at 7:30PM as they take on the Park University Pirates. The Vikings will travel to Parkvill, MO for their first road test of the new year.