Turnovers Haunt Vikings

Blair, Nebraska ~ Dana College did everything right Tuesday night, except to hang onto the ball.  The Vikings out rebounded and out played Briar Cliff, but also turned the ball over 36 times.  Dana lost to conference rival Briar Cliff 75-74 in overtime.

The first half was a nip-tuck battle between the two teams.  Dana never trailed by more than three points, but never led by more than four.  Dana tried to exploit their height advantage in the opening half.  Amanda Bryant (SO, Treynor, IA) and Allie Lamb (SO, North English, IA) were unstoppable in the paint.  Bryant led the Vikings with 12 points, while Lamb added five.  Dana more than doubled the Chargers rebounds in the opening half 21-10, but the Vikings also had four more team turnovers.  Briar Cliff went into the half time locker room up 32-31.

The second half saw both teams exchange the lead three times, before the Vikings went on a run.  Tricia Trotter (FR, Treynor, IA) helped to stretch the Viking lead to seven points.  Trotter hit a jumper in the lane and sank three free throws to seemingly ice the game for Dana with ten minutes left.  A rash of fouls called against Dana sent Briar Cliff to the line.  The Chargers found their free throw shooting touch and hit five of six free throws down the stretch.  Dana looked to regain their form as Amy Nichol (JR, Des Moines, IA) hit two free throws and Amanda Bryant hit a lay up in the paint to extend the lead to three points.  A buzzer beating three pointer by Briar Cliff extended the game into overtime.

Overtime was not kind to Dana as Briar Cliff forced Dana into two turnovers in the opening minute and converted them into a four point lead.  The Vikings showed their resiliency once again and took a 74-73 with two minutes left.  Both teams missed open looks in the final two minutes.  The deciding factor was free throw shooting.  The Chargers stepped to the line and hit two charity shots to take a one point lead in the final 30 seconds.  Briar Cliff then forced Dana into its thirty-sixth turnover to seal the win.

Amy Nichol led the Vikings with 23 points, five steals, and four assists.  Amanda Bryant added 22 points, six rebounds, and two blocks.  Tricia Trotter had nine points and two steals.

The loss drops Dana to 0-3 in conference play and evens their record out at 4-4.  The Vikings will travel to Sioux Falls, South Dakota on Saturday for a match-up against USF.  The Cougars are 5-5 overall and 1-2 in GPAC play.  Tip off has been moved to 4:00pm on Saturday afternoon.  The Vikings will return home on December 5^th to take on Nebraska Wesleyan at 7:30pm.

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