DES MOINES, IOWA – In a thrilling overtime contest, Grand View Women's Basketball fell 89-87 to Benedictine College in the team's marquee matchup of the week. The game featured an intense back-and-forth battle between two teams receiving votes in the latest Top 25 poll, with both sides showcasing strong defensive efforts, fast-paced play, and moments of clutch scoring. Despite the Vikings' resilience and ability to take the lead late in the game, Benedictine ultimately capitalized in overtime to take the win.

After a few missed opportunities for both teams, Anna Gossling got the Vikings going with a three-pointer, assisted by Ellie Rengstorf, before following it up with a floater. Eva Solseth quickly added to the momentum, going coast-to-coast for a fast-break layup that forced Benedictine to call an early timeout. Out of the break, Benedictine regained their composure and hit a three-pointer, but Grand View responded with a jump shot from Solseth and a steal by Gossling, which led to a three-pointer from Cleao Murray. However, the Ravens ramped up their defense, triggering a 15-point run that allowed them to take the lead. Despite a last-minute layup from Rengstorf, the Vikings trailed 20-14 at the end of the first quarter.

Benedictine opened the second quarter with a jump shot, but Grand View quickly found their rhythm. Rengstorf scored a layup off an inbound play, and Ella Larsen added a put-back basket. Murray then knocked down a three-pointer, assisted by a surrounded Katie Fogarty in the paint, as Grand View's offense began to click. The Ravens continued to pressure the Vikings, but a technical foul on Benedictine sparked the crowd, giving Grand View a much-needed boost. The Vikings capitalized with three timely three-pointers—two from Gossling and one from Fogarty – to tighten the gap. Layups from Gossling and Fogarty closed out the scoring for the half, but Grand View still trailed by three, 40-37. Gossling led all scorers with 13 points, shooting 3-for-4 from deep.

Following the break, Murray found her shooting touch, knocking down three three-pointers in the third quarter, including the first and last baskets for the Vikings. The lead bounced back and forth throughout the period as both teams traded runs. Grand View was hindered by two offensive charge calls, which allowed Benedictine to capitalize with a pair of threes and quick layups. But the Vikings answered, with Larsen contributing two layups and a three, Gossling hitting another triple, and Murray adding an offensive rebound put-back. At the end of the third, the score was tied 59-59, setting up for an intense finish.

The energy in the gym intensified as the fourth quarter began, with Rengstorf sinking two clutch free throws to give Grand View a slight lead. However, Benedictine quickly regained control with a post layup, jump shot, and three-pointer. The Vikings struggled with rushed shot selections early in the quarter, leading to a faster pace and shorter possessions. Still, as they had all game, Grand View found a response. Rengstorf nailed a key three-pointer off an extra pass from Abigail Jones, and Larsen converted an and-one layup. With the score tied at 72 and under two minutes left, Gossling added a layup, and Larsen made a free throw to give Grand View a three-point lead. Benedictine answered with a layup, and despite two more free throws from Gossling, the Ravens sank a three-pointer with just 6.6 seconds left to tie the game. With the final chance of regulation, Gossling's layup attempt rolled off the rim as time expired, sending the game into overtime.

Overtime began with Larsen driving hard to the basket for a left-handed layup to give Grand View the lead. Benedictine quickly responded with a layup and a three-pointer to retake the lead. Larsen converted one free throw and Gossling added a crafty layup to keep the Vikings within striking distance. The teams exchanged baskets, with Gossling hitting a momentum-shifting three-pointer, assisted by Murray, to give Grand View the lead once again. Despite the momentum shift, Benedictine answered with a layup and two free throws, capitalizing on another offensive charge by the Vikings to take back the lead. Grand View was unable to regain the advantage in their final possessions, and Benedictine held on to take the win, 89-87.

GAME NOTES

• Anna Gossling led all scorers with 26 points, shooting 50% (5-10) from the three, while also collecting 8 rebounds.
• Ella Larsen made all-around contributions with 23 points, 12 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals.
• Cleao Murray also shot 50% (5-10) from the three, finishing with 17 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists.
• The Vikings shot 42.0% (29-69) from the field, 43.3% (13-30) from deep, and 76.2% (16-21) from the free-throw line.

UP NEXT 
The Vikings will look to bounce back from the loss as they return to Sisam Arena on Wednesday, February 5th, at 5:30 p.m. to host Peru State College.