DES MOINES, IOWA - The Grand View Vikings faced off against Missouri Valley College on Saturday afternoon, February 24th. The game was crucial for both teams as the winner would earn a spot in the conference tournament. However, despite a great effort from the Vikings, too many second-chance opportunities allowed Missouri Valley to take an 81-58 victory.

Grand View was led in scoring by Cecil Lee III in his final collegiate contest; Lee finished with 17 points and six rebounds. The two teams were neck and neck in the opening majority of the first half, but a 10-0 run by Missouri Valley would quickly see the score separate as MoVal led 36-27 as the Vikings called a timeout. After the timeout, Grand View was able to cut Missouri Valley's lead to 39-30 as both teams entered the locker rooms for halftime. 

The second half started out promising as Grand View chipped into the already developed lead. A fast break dunk by Jacob Koontz off of a lob in transition from Noah Hart would see Grand View at its closest deficit for the remainder of the contest at 43-38. Grand View struggled to keep Missouri Valley off the glass as they pulled in 13 total offensive boards to GVU's 7. Missouri Valley had a huge lift from their bench in the second half that contributed to their lead. Grand View struggled to find answers to Missouri Valley's scoring as they fell, 81-58. 

SENIOR NOTES 

• Cecil Lee III came to the Vikings as a transfer in the 22-23 season, the big man started in 32 total contests for the Vikings. Lee ended with 386 total career points and 223 rebounds. 
• Noah Hart, another transfer for the Vikings, was a three-point specialist for two seasons, making 69 threes in his two seasons with Grand View. 
• Team glue and student assistant Germain Sagbo was a four-year star for Grand View, assisting with all things Grand View men's basketball. Sagbo will become a Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nurse at the Cincinnati Children's Hospital after graduation.