November 14, 2006

Women’s Basketball Wins a Thriller

Blair, Nebraska ~ Some of the most watched films in 2006 have been thrillers and the Women’s Basketball team knows what to give its audiences at home.  Dana took care of Peru State 68-63 in overtime.

This was a game of streaks by both teams.  Dana opened the game on a tear.  The Vikings were up 15-2 in the opening minutes of the game.  The Viking bench helped to stretch the lead.  Allie Lamb (SO, North English, IA) helped to stretch the lead to 13 points as she tipped in a missed shot.  The Vikings then saw the Bobcats come alive from three point land.  Peru State knocked down three three-pointers as they evened the score up with eight minutes left to go in the opening stanza.  The two teams then exchanged leads until the final two minutes of the half when Peru State pulled ahead by four points, 33-29.

Coach Mechels’ troops came out determined to retake the lead.  Retake the lead they did!  The Vikings stormed out 25-7 run to open the second half.  Lamb and Jennifer Endres (JR, Lincoln, NE) each hit free throws to stretch the Viking lead.  Then a mixture of cold Dana shooting and a three point barrage by Peru State saw the Viking lead cut to one point with two minutes remaining.  Both teams struggled to get good shots in the closing minutes.  Amy Nichol (JR, Des Moines, IA) hit a free throw to stretch the lead to two points.  Alison Hill hit a running lay-up as time expired to knot the game at 59-59.

The overtime period would not be much of an issue as Amy Nichol put the Vikings on her back.  Nichol scored seven of Dana’s nine points in added time.  She also added two rebounds and a steal to knock out any Bobcat hopes of a win.

The Vikings had three players in double digit scoring.  Amy Nichol had a dominate game for Dana.  Nichol had 23 points on 7 of 10 shooting.  She also pulled down four rebounds, dished out three assists, and had six steals.  Allie Lamb gave the Vikings 13 points off of the bench.  Lamb also tore down 13 rebounds, six of which were offensive, and had five blocked shots.  Amanda Bryant (SO, Treynor, IA) had 11 points, six rebounds, and a team high four assists.  Erin Bazata (SO, Randolph, NE) pulled down eight rebounds for Dana.

The Vikings are now 4-1 on the season.  Dana will host Hastings College, who are the number one team in NAIA, Division II on Saturday afternoon.  Prior to the game the Viking JV women’s squad will play Marshalltown Community College at noon.  The varsity game is scheduled to tip at 2:00pm.

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