Dana Women Get Second GPAC Win in Closing Seconds
The Dana College women’s basketball team traveled to Fremont on Saturday afternoon to take on Midland Lutheran.  The Vikings were looking to avenge an 82-72 loss at home earlier in the year.  A last-second shot by the Vikings proved to be the difference in a 69-67 road victory.
 
This game played out as most rivalry games do. Neither team was able to get any breathing room from the other.  Midland got the biggest lead of the first half, going up by five with 17:38 remaining.
 
Erin Bazata (JR, Randolph, Neb.) and Chelsey Williams (JR, Tabor, Iowa) hit a pair of jumpers to tie up the game midway through the first half.  Following a Midland foul, Williams hit an easy lay up to give Dana a two-point lead.
 
Midland kept the game within three points until a series of missed shots gave them an opening. The Warriors retook the lead by four with three minutes remaining.  Amanda Bryant (JR, Treynor, Iowa) drained two free throws to draw Dana within one point at halftime.
 
The Vikings were able to regain the lead early in the second half with two free throws by Tricia Trotter (SO, Treynor, Iowa).  Later in the half, Trotter hit a jumper from behind the arc to give the Vikings their biggest lead of the game, 45-40.  
 
Both teams continued to play tough defense and exchanged baskets on both ends. Dana took a three-point lead as Kayla Hofstetter (SO, Lawrence, Neb.) hit two free throws with 27 seconds remaining.  Midland brought the ball down and hit a three point shot to tie the game up with nine seconds left on the clock.  
 
The Vikings took advantage of the last shot.  Dana Head Coach Brenda Mechels drew up the last play to get Hofstetter an open shot, which the Vikings executed to perfection.  Hofstetter calmly put up a 15-foot jumper that found the bottom of the net with no time remaining.
 
Bazata led the Vikings with 13 points on six of ten shooting. Bryant had 11 points, three blocks, and eight rebounds in the win. Trotter and Amy Nichol (SR, Des Moines, Iowa) each had four assists.
 
Dana improved to 7-14 on the year and 2-7 in Great Plains Athletic Conference play.  The Vikings will stay in conference again as they face NAIA No. 9 Concordia University at home tonight.  Tip off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

For more information, please contact:  Francisco Lujan, Assistant Sports Information Director at flujan@dana.edu or 402-426-7949.