November 18, 2006

Vikings Fall to Broncos

Blair, Nebraska ~ The top team in the national arrived on campus looking to pick up another easy win.  The Viking basketball team would not let them escape easy.  After going into the locker room tied at half, Dana fell to Hastings College 80-69.

From the opening tip, Dana saw Hastings come out firing on all cylinders.  The Vikings withstood the early Bronco pressure and three point shooting.  Dana dug out of an early first half deficit to tie Hastings on a Felicia Ellis (JR, Rockwell City, IA) jumper.  Dana then took their first lead of the game on their following possession.  Michelle Weinrich (JR, Pierce, NE) hit a jumper in the lane to put Dana up two.  The two teams exchanged free throws and fouls and went into the half tied.

The second half looked to be another close struggle, but Dana did not bring their shooting touch out with them to start the second half.  Following a series of three point makes, the Broncos stretched their lead to eleven with eight minutes left.  Coach Mechels’ then made some adjustments and the Vikings started to claw their way back.  This time the comeback would fall short.

The Vikings shot only 41 percent in the second half, compared to 51 percent of Hastings.  The Broncos also held a 41-28 rebounding advantage for the game.  Second and third chance points were what doomed the Vikings.

“We needed to control the boards better than we did today,” said Coach Mechels.  “They had too many second chance looks at the basket.  We need to rebound better.”

The Vikings were led by Allie Lamb (SO, North English, IA) in scoring with 15 points.  Amanda Bryant (SO, Treynor, IA) went for 14.  Amy Nichol (JR, Des Moines, IA) and Michelle Weinrich (JR, Pierce, NE) each added ten points.  Jen Endres (JR, Lincoln, NE), Tricia Trotter (FR, Treynor, IA), and Felicia Ellis each had three assists in the game.  Ellis and Lamb each pulled down five rebounds.

The loss drops Dana to 4-2 on the year and 0-1 in conference play.  It does not get any easier for the Vikings before the Thanksgiving break as they face another nationally rated team.  Dana will travel to Doane College on November 21 for a 6:00pm tip.  The Vikings will return to the home court after Thanksgiving to host Briar Cliff at 7:30pm on November 29.

For more information, contact:


Shad Beam, sports information director, (402) 426-7389, sbeam@dana.edu

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Scott Guzinski, assistant Sports Information Director, (402) 426-7949, sguzinsk@dana.edu