FAYETTE, MISSOURI – The Grand View men's basketball team hit the road for a Heart of America showdown against the Eagles of Central Methodist University. After a closely contested first half, the Vikings found their stride in the second, surging ahead to secure an impressive 65-60 victory on the road.
The first half between Grand View and Central Methodist was a tightly contested battle, with both teams exchanging baskets and momentum swings.
Joe Knutson got the Vikings on the board with an early three-pointer, while
Ayden Foster and
Jaxson Young made their presence known in the paint, keeping Grand View competitive as the lead changed hands multiple times. Defensively, the Vikings showcased their resilience. Foster delivered crucial blocks, while Knutson and
Patrick Worrell forced timely steals that disrupted the Eagles' offensive flow.
Although Grand View missed some opportunities from beyond the arc, they capitalized on second-chance points, with bench players
James Ogrodnik and
Luke Hart providing valuable contributions. With both teams evenly matched, the first half ended in a 29-29 tie, setting the stage for an intense second half in this Heart of America Conference showdown.
The second half opened with Grand View taking control as
Jaxson Young knocked down a three-pointer, assisted by
Ayden Foster, to give the Vikings an early lead. Both teams continued to trade baskets and defensive stops, but Grand View's defense, anchored by Worrell and Knutson, remained a key factor. Foster's dominance on the boards further bolstered the Vikings' efforts.
As the clock ticked down, Central Methodist mounted a late rally behind Thomas Sowoolu and Marcus Anthony, cutting the deficit. However, the Vikings responded with clutch plays, including a pivotal layup by Young and crucial free throws from Knutson. In the final moments, Grand View's defense came through, with
Luke Hart securing a decisive steal to clinch the 65-60 victory for the Vikings.
The Vikings secured a hard-fought 65-60 victory, fueled by standout performances from key players.
Jaxson Young led the Vikings with 15 points, shooting an efficient 7-for-13 from the field while adding four rebounds and two assists in 36 minutes.
Patrick Worrell contributed 10 points and five rebounds, showcasing his versatility on both ends of the court.
Jackson Green added another 10 points and grabbed six rebounds, providing a spark with two three-pointers.
Ayden Foster dominated the boards with seven rebounds while chipping in nine points and three assists.
Joe Knutson was a steady presence, scoring eight points and matching Foster's seven rebounds. The team's balanced scoring and defensive effort, highlighted by 40 total rebounds, sealed the win in this intense conference clash.
GAMES NOTES
- Grand View scored just 2 points off turnovers compared to Central Methodist's 3 in a low-turnover game.
- Grand View edged Central Methodist on the boards 40-34, with Ayden Foster and Joe Knutson each pulling down 7 rebounds.
- Grand View shot a solid 48.28% in the second half compared to Central Methodist's 41.94%, helping them secure the win.
- Jaxson Young led Grand View with 15 points, shooting 7-for-13 from the field and adding 4 rebounds and 2 assists.
- Grand View's bench added 13 points, including a 5-point contribution from Matthew Boldt in just 10 minutes of play.
UP NEXT
The Vikings are set to travel to Dubuque, Iowa, on Wednesday, January 22nd, for a match-up against Clarke University. The game is scheduled to tip-off at 7:30 p.m.
