January 31, 2007

Vikings Overcome Flames

Blair, Nebraska ~ The women’s basketball team overcame one of their nemesis’ of the past few seasons on Tuesday evening.  Dana defeated the College of St. Mary 78-54 in non-conference action.

Dana opened hot on a 5-0 run, which was capped off by Amanda Bryant (SO, Treynor, IA) making a lay-up and the free throw following being fouled on the shot.  The Flames came back on a run of their own.  CSM scored the next six points to take a 6-5 lead.  This would be their last and only lead of the game.  Coach Brenda Mechels’ fired up her team and they scored eight straight to go up by seven.  Allie Lamb (SO, North English, IA) showed some point guard skills as she picked the pocket of a CSM player and raced down court for the fast break lay-up.  The Vikings stretched their lead to 13 points as Amy Nichol (JR, Des Moines, IA) sank one of two free-throws.  The made free throw was Nichols’ 1,000 career point in a Viking uniform.  She is the 11^th player since women’s basketball became a varsity sport at Dana in 1976 to reach that milestone.  Dana went into the locker room at half up 45-34.

The first five minutes of the second half saw Dana stretch their lead to 19 points.  Tricia Trotter (FR, Treynor, IA) drove the lane and hit a lay-up.  Allie Lamb would tip in her own missed shot to help the Vikings extend their lead.  The Flames went on a mini-run midway through the half to cut Dana’s lead to 11.  Dana would not falter at home and increased their lead back to 19 points on two Allie Lamb free throws.  The Viking reserves allowed only four points in the last two minutes to secure the win for Dana.

The Vikings featured four players in double digit scoring.  Tricia Trotter led the way with a game high 18 points and a team high six rebounds.  Amy Nichol had 16 points, five rebounds and three assists.  Amanda Bryant had 13 points on five of six shooting.  Allie Lamb chipped in 14 points off the bench.  Heidi Gowery (FR, St. Helena, NE) had only three points, but dished out a team high five assists and pulled down five rebounds 

The win improves Dana 10 11-12 on the season.  With the win, the Vikings eclipse last seasons win total of ten.  Dana will travel to Orange City, IA on Saturday to squad off against Northwestern College.  The Red Raiders are currently in the top 20 in NAIA Division II and feature one of the nations leading scorers.  Dana will return home on February 6 to host Concordia University at 7:30pm.

For more information, contact:


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

—    or —

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