December 2, 2006

Road Unfriendly to Vikings

Sioux Falls, South Dakota ~ The road to Sioux Falls, South Dakota was not a friendly one for the women’s basketball this weekend.  Dana had a nine point half time lead, but could not hold onto it.  Sioux Falls escaped with a 71-70 victory.

The opening half saw Dana race out to a 13-7 lead.  Sioux Falls would not lie down on their home court and fought back, even taking the lead midway through the half.  Coach Mechels’ Vikings then went on a 16-5 run to put them up by 11points.  The run was capped off by a Heidi Gowery (FR, St. Helena, NE) three pointer.  Jillian Bryant (FR, McCook, NE) put Dana up by nine at the end of the first half with her jumper.

Dana looked to have the game in hand with a six point lead with ten minutes to go in the half.  A rash of missed shots and fouls led to the Vikings demise.  The Cougars grabbed a four point lead with three minutes left in the half.  Amanda Bryant (SO, Treynor, IA) tied the game up 70-70 with 24 seconds left in the game.  USF hit one of two free-throws with 15 seconds left to put them up by one.  The Vikings missed three shots in the paint as the game came to a close.

“We had the ball in the hands of our two hottest players at the end of the game,” said Brenda Mechels.  “We just couldn’t put it away.”

Since being out rebounded by Hastings at November 18, the Vikings had emphasized rebounding.  And rebound they have.  The Vikings held a 46-31 rebounding lead over the Cougars on Saturday, but second chance scoring was a problems.

Jennifer Endres (JR, Lincoln, NE) and Amanda Bryant shared the team lead with 12 points each.  Heidi Gowery added 11 points off the bench.  Amanda Bryant also tore down a team high 14 rebounds.  Tricia Trotter (FR, Treynor, IA) dished out a team high five assists.

The loss drops Dana to 4-5 overall and 0-4 in GPAC play.  The Vikings will host Nebraska Wesleyan on Tuesday night.  The Prairie Wolves are 1-5 overall and 0-3 in conference play.  Tip-off is scheduled for 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