Vikings Split in Kansas

The Dana College women’s basketball team traveled to Olathe, Kansas for the Mid-America Nazarene Classic.  In the opener, the Vikings fell 74-56 to Sterling College.  Then Saturday afternoon, Dana rebounded and came away with a 63-60 win over Tabor College.

Friday afternoon’s match-up saw the Vikings get out rebounded by a 36-23 margin.  Dana had two players in double digit scoring in the loss.  Amy Nichol (SR, Des Moines, IA) led the team with 23 points on nine of 14 shooting.  Tricia Trotter (SO, Treynor, IA) chipped in with 13 points.  Erin Bazata (JR, Randolph, NE) had a team high nine rebounds.

“We had difficulty matching up with their size inside and rebounding was a difference in the game,” commented Head Coach Brenda Mechels.  “Rebounding is an area we need to improve in.  We played hard and battled against Sterling.  The game was closer than the score, but with fouls at the end, they made the free-throws and opened the score up.”

The Vikings took on another KCAC school on the second day of the tournament, Tabor College.  Dana came away with a 63-60 win.  The Vikings again lost the battle under the boards 46-31.  The difference in the match-up was turnovers.  Dana forced Tabor into committing 25 turnovers on the game.

Dana had three players in double digit scoring.  The Vikings were led by a pair of Treynor, IA alumnus Amanda Bryant (JR) and Tricia Trotter.  The duo combined for 14 points apiece in the win.  Bryant also chipped in with a team high seven rebounds.  Erin Bazata added 13 points on six of eight shooting from the field.  Amy Nichol was held to two points in the win, but dished out a season high eight assists and made five steals.

“Having played the night before, we were tired,” commented Coach Mechels.  “But we battled and found a way to win.  We must improve on the glass heading into conference play.”

The Vikings are now 2-2 on the season and will play host to nationally rated Mayville State on Tuesday, November 13.  The Comets are currently number 24 in the NAIA pre-season poll.  Dana will then travel to Omaha on Thursday to take on NCAA Division II foe UNO.  Tip off is scheduled for 7:30 on Tuesday in the Gardner-Hawks Center.  Game time against the Mavericks on Thursday is set for 6:00pm.  Dana will also host Waldorf College on Saturday, November 17 at home with a 2:00pm start.

For More Information, please contact:

Shad Beam, Sports Information Director, 402-426-7389 or sbeam@dana.edu