DES MOINES, IOWA - Grand View hosted the Pride in a ranked, top-of-the-heart match-up. The Vikings put up a good fight, but a late first-half deficit doomed them. The Pride escaped a late scare to remain undefeated, 71-69.  

HOW IT HAPPENED: 
The Vikings would hit the scoreboard for the first time in the contest after Anna Gossling connected on a pair of free throws after a scoreless two-minute start. Grand View tacked on another three from Cleao Murray by the 7:34 mark to make the score 5-2 in the Viking's favor. Ella Larsen squeaked a last-second lay-up to give the Vikings 15-12.
 
Both teams struggled to score in the second quarter. The 4th-ranked Pride, however, would capitalize on an 8-0 run by the final two minutes of the half to comfort them heading into halftime with a 37-25 lead.
 
The Vikings outscored the Pride in the third quarter, sparking their comeback following their deficit at the halfway break. Grand View scored back-to-back lay-ins to reach a 45-33 deficit. The Vikings saw their smallest deficit since the Pride took over in the 3rd quarter by seven at the 16-second mark. Grand View had one quarter left for a push as they trailed entering the fourth by nine, 53-44.
 
The ranked teams traded baskets early in the fourth quarter, but the Vikings began to chip away at the Pride lead, cutting it to just four points by the fifth minute, 59-55, after Lauren Conrey connected on three straight free throws. A pair of free throws from Larsen would give Grand View their closest trail by a single point. A scoop and score from Murray brought the Vikings within one, but following a timeout, the Pride connected on two more free throws to lead 69-66. Mya Merschman for the Pride connected on four straight free throws down the stretch to survive the Viking's upset attempt, 71-69.

GAME NOTES: 

• Rachel Leerar was the Viking's spark, one shy of a double-double; Leerar pulled down nine boards and finished with 11 points.
• The Vikings scored 16 points on the Pride turnovers.

 WHAT'S NEXT?
Grand View will take a few days off and return to the road on January 10^th in Parkville, MO. The contest will tip off at 5:30 p.m.