DES MOINES, IOWA - The Grand View women's basketball team opened its 2026-27 season at home on Wednesday night, falling to Briar Cliff 62-48 despite a strong effort on the glass.
Briar Cliff got off to a fast start as the Vikings worked through some early turnovers. Claire Galbraith got Grand View on the board at the free throw line, and Lily Smith added two more from the stripe. Ellie Knock then buried a three and Avery Moon knocked down a jumper to trim the deficit, but Briar Cliff closed the first quarter up 16-9.
Briar Cliff extended its lead early in the second, but Taryn Ottemann scored inside and Knock finished a layup to keep the Vikings close. Down 26-13, Grand View put together a 6-0 run behind a Galbraith jumper, an Addalyn Rooney layup, and two Eva Solseth free throws to cut it to seven. Galbraith scored four more points late, but Briar Cliff took a 34-23 lead into the half.
Briar Cliff came out of the break strong, building a 20-point lead midway through the third. The Vikings did not back down. Smith scored back to back layups, Knock finished in the paint, and Solseth added a layup and a three as Grand View went on a 13-1 run. Ottemann hit two free throws to make it 46-38 with a minute left in the quarter, and Grand View trailed 48-38 after three.
Knock and Smith scored early in the fourth to pull Grand View within eight. Moon and Ottemann each scored in the paint to make it 54-46 with just over six minutes to play, but that was as close as the Vikings would get as Briar Cliff held on for the 62-48 win.
GAME NOTES:
- Grand View outrebounded Briar Cliff 42-24, including 14 offensive rebounds.
- Taryn Ottemann posted 8 points, a game high 13 rebounds, and 3 blocks.
- Ellie Knock recorded 9 points and 10 rebounds.
- Claire Galbraith added 8 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 assists.
- Eva Solseth scored 9 points, and Lily Smith chipped in 8 points.
- The Vikings went 10-of-11 from the free throw line and won the points in the paint battle 24-20.
WHAT'S NEXT?
Grand View returns to Dave Sisam Arena on Saturday, October 31, when they host Dakota State University at 4:30 p.m.
