DES MOINES, IOWA – 20th ranked Grand View closed their regular season in Sisam Arena on Saturday, February 24th. Grand View would put Missouri Valley away for a season sweep in the second half, as they exploded for 52 total points to win 94-60. The win solidified the Vikings as the two-seed in the upcoming Heart of America Conference Tournament hosted by the higher seed. 

The Vikings felt an enormous boost from Anna Gossling in quarter one. The sophomore has been on fire as of late for her team; she connected on 2-3 from beyond the arc in the first 10 minutes, amounting to eight of the 19 points. The team would battle things out in the first quarter; both squads would run a pace offense that eventually led us knotted at 19 at the end of the first after Ellie Rengstorf finished one in the lane as an answer to a Missouri Valley three-ball. 

Kaylyn Meyers opened up the second quarter with a burst from her 7 straight points, edging MoVal by one three minutes into the second quarter. A Cleao Murray three would give Grand View their largest lead of the contest so far by eight points. Grand View shot 50% from the three in the second quarter, whereas Missouri Valley shot a lower volume for 66.7%. The biggest difference in the second quarter was the Vikings forcing MVC into 11 turnovers by the end of 20 minutes. 

Grand View sparked a 15-0 run over the span of four minutes to start the third quarter. Missouri Valley came out confident with the first two baskets of the fresh half, but Grand View's quick offense found them in a deficit of 17. Seven straight points for Ella Larsen quickly jumped her up to 9 for the game and five rebounds. GVU was able to build a 20-plus lead by the end of the third quarter, highlighted by a last-second jumper from Larsen. 

A Lauren Conrey three would be an early dagger for Missouri Valley as they trailed 74-49. Grand View continued to build on its lead as it grew as much as 34 points by the time of the final buzzer. Missouri Valley wouldn't be able to keep up with the scoring as GVU sealed a final regular season home victory, 94-60. The Vikings captured their 20th win in conference with a 24-4 overall record, highlighted by a 20-4 record in the Heart of America. 

GAME NOTES: 

• Murray led the Vikings in scoring with 20 points on 8-16 shooting. Murray also went 4-7 from three and had three steals. 
• The Vikings capitalized on 28 total points from Missouri Valley turnover and scored 20 points off of 2nd chance opportunities. 
•  The Vikings dished out a season high-tie for 22 total team assists. 
• GVU is outscoring its opponents by an average of 14.9 ppg. 

 WHAT'S NEXT?
Grand View will host Peru State College on Wednesday, February 28th, at 5:00 p.m. for the opening round of the Heart of America Conference Tournament in Sisam Arena. The Vikings are 2-0 versus the Bobcats this regular season, the most recent meeting being on January 24th, where GVU won 76-55. The Bobcats hold a seventh seed in the tournament.