DES MOINES, IOWA – The Grand View Vikings dominated the Clarke University Pride in a Heart of America Conference matchup on Monday night, cruising to an 85-58 victory. The Vikings' transition offense and dominant defensive pressure in the second quarter propelled them to an early lead that helped solidify the win.

Clarke pressured the Vikings early, hitting two quick three-pointers that forced Grand View to ramp up their defensive efforts and convert on the offensive end. Cleao Murray was the first to score for the Vikings, driving past her defender for a layup and then adding another basket off her own steal. Senior point guard Ellie Rengstorf sliced through the paint for two points, followed by an assist to Murray for another basket. Reagan Mudderman joined the action with a three-pointer off a pass from Anna Gossling, who shortly after showcased her own speed with a fast-break layup. Defensively, Rengstorf took a timely charge, but despite a buzzer-beating steal and layup from Larsen the Vikings still trailed by two at the end of the first quarter.

As Clarke's shooting cooled in the second quarter, the Vikings turned up the defensive pressure, holding the Pride to just five points and forcing nine turnovers, with five team steals. Grand View's offense took full advantage, extending their lead to 13 by halftime. Layups from Brianna Fields, Eva Solseth, and Rengstorf kicked off the run, while fast-break points from Gossling and Murray stretched the lead further. The Vikings hit their only three-pointer of the quarter, courtesy of Mudderman on a pass from Rengstorf. At the break, seven Vikings were on the board, led by Murray with 10 points and Gossling with 9. Larsen also made an impact, pulling down six rebounds in the first half.

Coming out of the break, Larsen was hot from beyond the arc, hitting 3-of-4 from three-point range, assisted by Gossling and Taryn Lindsey. The Vikings dished out seven assists in the third quarter, led by Gossling with four, who also added two layups. Clarke managed to respond with a few successful shots, but Murray answered with two more three-pointers, both assisted by Gossling, along with a strong put-back layup. A fast break layup from Solseth on the assist from Murray stretched the Viking's lead, and Larsen supplied a decisive block to send Grand View to the final quarter leading by 22 points.

In the fourth, Lindsey put together a strong offensive performance, scoring 9 points off a mid-range jumper, two layups, and a three-point basket. Murray added another three-pointer before finishing her contributions with a final basket off a pass from Claire Galbraith. Larsen capped the night with a tough layup in traffic, followed by an assist to Gossling for another easy basket. Freshman Eva Peterson rounded out the scoring with a basket and a three-pointer, finalizing the score at 85-58.

GAME NOTES

• Grand View scored 28 points off turnovers, 17 fast-break points, and outscored Clarke 44-12 in the paint, with a 13-0 advantage in second-chance points.
• Cleao Murray led with 22 points and added 3 rebounds, 2 steals and 1 assist.
• Anna Gossling scored 18 points and dished out 6 assists.
• Ella Larsen recorded a double-double with 14 points, 12 rebounds, and 6 assists.
• The Viking's shot 45.9% from the field and 34.5% from behind the arc.
• Grand View registered 11 steals and 20 assists as a team. 

UP NEXT
Grand View will face a quick turn-around and return to Dave Sisam Arena on Wednesday, January 8^th, where they will host William Penn University at 5:30 p.m.