DES MOINES, IOWA – The Grand View men's basketball team defeated Baker 70-63 on Friday afternoon, improving to 15-7 overall and 10-5 in conference play in a physical conference matchup. 

Baker struck first in the opening half, jumping out to an early lead behind sharp shooting from beyond the arc. Grand View responded as Daviyon Gaston and Lukas Helms knocked down three-pointers to keep the Vikings within striking distance. The game remained tight throughout the first half as both teams traded baskets. 

Frankie Chiodo provided a spark off the bench with a timely three-pointer assisted by O'Shawn Jones-Winslow to trim the deficit. Riley Edwards added consecutive buckets to keep Grand View in the game. The Vikings closed the half strong as Patrick Worrell knocked down a three-pointer assisted by Jaxson Young, and Gaston hit another three-pointer assisted by Luke Hart. Matthew Boldt converted two free throws to give Grand View a 42-35 halftime advantage. 

The Vikings extended their lead early in the second half. Helms and Gaston scored in the paint to push the advantage to double digits. Worrell grabbed his own rebound and scored to make it 50-37, and Helms added another basket to extend the lead to 52-39. Gaston scored again to give Grand View their largest lead at 54-39. 

Baker mounted a comeback midway through the period, cutting the deficit to single digits with a flurry of baskets and three-pointers. The Wildcats trimmed Grand View's lead to just three points with over six minutes remaining, turning the game into a battle at the free-throw line. 

The final minutes came down to converting from the charity stripe. Helms hit one of two free throws to extend the lead, and Young converted a pair to push it to 64-58. Gaston took over down the stretch, hitting four consecutive free throws to extend the advantage to 68-60. Worrell added a free throw to make it 69-61, and Gaston sealed the victory with another free throw to give the Vikings a 70-61 cushion before Baker scored at the buzzer. 

GAME NOTES:  

• Daviyon Gaston led Grand View with 22 points on 7-of-13 shooting, including 3-of-5 from three-point range and 5-of-6 from the free-throw line.  

• Lukas Helms contributed 18 points and 5 rebounds.  

• Jaxson Young added 6 points and 6 assists.  

• Patrick Worrell chipped in 6 points and 9 rebounds.  

• Grand View shot 42.9% from the field and 36.8% from three-point range.  

• The Vikings converted 15-of-22 free throws in a physical game that featured 41 total fouls.  

• Grand View improves to 15-7 overall and 10-5 in conference play. 

WHATS NEXT?

Grand View hits the road after their 4-game home stint, winning 3 of the 4 games. The Vikings compete next on Wednesday, February 4th as the take on the Statesmen of William Penn.