December 18, 2006

 Grinnell, Iowa ~ The women’s basketball team played their best game to date on Saturday afternoon against Grinnell College.  Dana crushed Grinnell 91-61 in non-conference play.

The Vikings released their pent up stress from finals week on the Pioneers.  Dana came out shooting in the first half on a 48.9 percent clip.  The Vikings trailed for the first three minutes of the opening period, but never trailed from that point.  Tricia Trotter (FR, Treynor, IA) put the Vikings up for good when she nailed one of her two three pointers on the afternoon.  Freshman Jillian Bryant (McCook, NE) and Amy Nichol (JR, Des Moines, IA) led the Vikings with nine points in the opening period.  Dana jumped out to a 43-24 first half advantage as they forced Grinnell into 13 turnovers.

Grinnell had no answers to the Vikings onslaught in the second half.  Dana shot an amazing 65.4 percent in the second half.  Felicia Ellis (JR, Rockwell City, IA) drained two three-pointers in the half.  Tricia Trotter led all Viking scorers in the half with ten.  The Pioneers were no match for the Vikings on the boards.  Dana held a 20-11 advantage for the second half.

Dana featured three players in double digits.  Tricia Trotter led the way with 18 points.  Trotter also pulled down eight rebounds and dished out six assists.  Allie Lamb (SO, North English, IA) continued her strong play from the post by adding her third double-double on the season.  Lamb finished with 12 points and 11 rebounds.  She also blocked two shots.  Amy Nichol (JR, Des Moines, IA) had an outstanding game with 15 points.  Michelle Weinrich (JR, Pierce, NE), Felicia Ellis and Jillian Bryant each finished with nine points.

The win improves the Vikings to 6-6 on the season and drops Grinnell to 5-4.  The Vikings are off until right before New Years when they travel to Des Moines, IA to take part in the Grand View College tournament.  Dana will play the host school on December 29 at 8:00pm.  The following afternoon the Vikings will play William Penn University for the second time this year.  Dana defeated the Lady Statesmen 73-71 earlier this season in Blair.  Jennifer Endres (JR, Lincoln, NE) hit a jumper as time expired for the Viking win.  Dana will return home on January 3, 2007 against Midland Lutheran College 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