DES MOINES, IA – The Saturday afternoon matchup between Grand View and Culver-Stockton College featured a tight battle that resulted in a 71-65 Viking victory, highlighted by their ability to convert under pressure and standout performances from Ella Larsen and Anna Gossling.

The Vikings faced trouble early in the contest, as the Wildcats found their offensive rhythm to mount an 11-2 run. Larsen responded with an offensive spark of her own, featuring back-to-back three-pointers followed by an and-one layup. Rounding out the quarter, Gossling utilized a killer crossover to spread the defense and coast to a wide-open layup. By the end of the quarter, Grand View had minimized the gap to a mere two-point deficit.

Another three-point basket from Larsen, on the assist from Eva Solseth, started the Vikings' second-quarter scoring. Solseth added a basket of her own shortly after with a mid-range jumper to give Grand View the lead. An exchange of baskets saw a heavy push from Larsen to keep the score tight, despite Culver-Stockton's back-to-back threes late in the quarter. Larsen contributed 24 points of the team's 35 points in the half.

The Wildcats were the first to strike coming out of the half with a quick basket to even it up at 35-35. Carrying her scoring capabilities into the second half, Larsen delivered the Vikings' first basket of the half with a post-up layup on the pass from Abigail Jones, who knocked in a basket from deep shortly after. Gossling joined the action with a pair of free throws, a trio of layups, and a three-point basket, adding 11 points in the quarter herself. The push lifted Grand View to a five-point lead entering the final ten minutes of play.

The battle peaked in the fourth quarter, behind Jones' ability to knock down essential shots and perform defensively in high-pressure situations, starting with an early three. Cleao Murray and Larsen each added a layup to maintain their advantage, but two three-point baskets from the Wildcats edged them closer to an even game. A big-time steal from Gossling resulted in another three for Jones to regain the five-point lead, which would be cut back down to three following two Culver-Stockton free throws. Once again, Jones had the response with a late shot clock baseline jumper to reestablish the lead, and a final layup from Gossling and two made free throws from Jones would be enough to overcome the Wildcats, securing the win at 71-65.

GAME NOTES

• Ella Larsen recorded a double-double with 29 points and 12 rebounds, in addition to 2 steals and 2 block.
• Anna Gossling seconded the offensive impact with 21 points and led the team in steals (3) and assists (5).
• Abigail Jones helped seal the deal for the Vikings, adding 13 points, 10 of which came in the fourth quarter, and 2 assists. 
• Grand View dramatically bested the Wildcats in points off turnovers (24-5), points in the paint (28-16), and fastbreak points (15-0).
• The Vikings shot 39.3% from the field and 32.0% from deep.

UP NEXT
Grand View will return to the Dave Sisam Arena Wednesday, December 11^th, for a 5:30 p.m. tip off against the Yellowjackets of Graceland University.