MARION, INDIANA – Grand View Women's Basketball rolled past Olivet Nazarene University in the first round of the NAIA National Championships on Friday night, securing a commanding 95-77 victory to advance to the second round. The Vikings capitalized on defensive gaps and turnovers by the Tigers, while leveraging a hot first quarter, strong ball movement, and key defensive stops. Cleao Murray led the charge with a dominant 27-point performance, setting the tone early in Grand View's high-scoring effort.
Despite an early three from Anna Gossling, the Vikings initially trailed as they adjusted to Olivet's aggressive full-court press. A long pass from Ellie Rengstorf ignited Grand View's pushback, finding Eva Solseth for a fast-break layup. Turning the tables on Olivet, the Vikings matched the Tigers' pace, highlighted by a quick three from Claire Galbraith and a solo steal by Gossling, who converted it into a layup. By the six-minute mark, Grand View had fully adjusted, launching a 12-0 run to take control—a lead they never relinquished. The offensive trio of Gossling, Murray, and Solseth powered the Vikings, scoring all but five of the team's 36 first-quarter points. Gossling was a perfect 5-for-5 from the field, including two threes, while Murray added a near-flawless 4-for-5 shooting performance and a block. Solseth contributed nine points, helping Grand View end the first quarter with a 36-22 lead.
Grand View extended its lead slightly in the second quarter as both teams continued to push the tempo. Olivet found some defensive success with five steals, but the Vikings refused to slow down. All of Grand View's scoring in the quarter came from inside the three-point line, with Murray and Galbraith leading the charge. Fast transition play remained a focal point, with 12 of the Vikings' points coming in the paint. At the half, Grand View held a 55-39 advantage, fueled by Murray's 17 points. Gossling (14 points) and Solseth (11 points) had already reached double figures, while Ella Larsen controlled the glass with nine rebounds and added five assists. The Vikings were efficient offensively, shooting 71% (22-31) from the field and 60% (6-10) from deep.
Solseth opened the second half with a three-pointer off a Rengstorf assist, followed by a key block from Larsen that kept Grand View's energy high. Olivet attempted to rally with two layups but was quickly silenced by a Larsen three-pointer. The Tigers found success at the free-throw line, scoring six points, but Grand View maintained control with balanced scoring from Brianna Fields, Gossling, and Murray. The Vikings held steady through an evenly matched third quarter and entered the final period leading 74-59.
Grand View confidently closed out the game in the fourth, beginning with Fields finishing a fast-break layup off a Murray assist. The Tigers hit a three-pointer, but Solseth immediately answered with one of her own. The Vikings' defense stepped up, as Gossling recorded two blocks and Larsen added another. Murray continued her standout performance with six more points, while Galbraith, Larsen, and Solseth each added a layup to seal the win. With the 95-77 victory, Grand View advances to the second round of the 44th annual NAIA Women's Basketball National Championship and will look to carry this momentum forward.
Game Notes
- Cleao Murray led all scorers with 27 points, 5 assists, 5 rebounds, and 3 blocks.
- Anna Gossling notched 19 points, shooting a perfect 3-for-3 from deep, with 8 rebounds and 3 steals.
- Eva Solseth recorded a season-high 19 points, shooting 44.4% (4-for-9) from three, with 3 assists and 3 rebounds.
- Claire Galbraith added 13 points, going 50% from both the field (4-for-8) and three (1-for-2).
- Ella Larsen nearly posted a double-double with 17 rebounds and 9 assists, along with 3 blocks and 2 steals.
- Brianna Fields was a strong spark off the bench, going a perfect 4-for-4 for 8 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists in just 11 minutes.
- Grand View outscored Olivet in fast-break points (20-8), rebounds (38-32), and points off turnovers (22-20).
- The Vikings shot 58% (38-66) from the field and 38% (10-26) from three-point range.
- Grand View's 25 assists and 8 blocks played a key role in the win.
Up Next
Grand View will compete in the second round of the NAIA National Championships on Saturday, March 15, at 4:00 PM CT (5:00 PM ET) against No. 1 seed Indiana Wesleyan at Luckey Arena in Marion, Indiana.
