Vikings earn 6th win over Wolves at home
In the third quarter of Tuesday’s home game, Vikings Senior Delaney Goshorn caught fire making three consecutive 3-pointers leading her team to a dominant 64-45 victory over the IKM-Manning Wolves for their 6th win of the season and first win since Dec. 15.
“It was really nice just getting in the groove of things,” Goshorn said. “We played the game how we wanted to play it. We ran the floor, we looked to get the ball ahead, hit open shots, and it was just good to see that all fall together tonight.”
The game opened with the first basket coming from Wolves Junior Taylor Beckendorf. After Beckendorf’s bucket, the Vikings took command of the game with back-to-back bucket from Sophomore Halle Goodman, followed by 3-pointers from Saydi Paulsen and Goodman giving the Vikings an 11-4 lead.
The Wolves got back in the game going on a 7-0 run, including a game tying free throw for Senior Abby Neilheisel. Right after, Goshorn put the Vikings back in front with free throws making it 13-11. With just a few seconds remaining in the quarter, Senior Ella Langer came down court and made a shot giving the Vikings a 16-13 lead heading into the second quarter.
The Vikings opened the second quarter continuing to make shots fall with contributions from Goshorn, Goodman, and Freshman Bella Lamp putting them up by 12. Wolves Sophomore Anna Stangl put a stop to their run temporarily with a basket, cutting the Vikings lead to 10.
“She does a really nice job,” said Wolves Head Coach Gene Rasmussen of Stangl. “She runs the offense, she does a nice job for us defensively as well. If she’s open within the offense, she’s going to look for a shot, and she’s put in the time to knock down those shots that she does get.”
The first half concluded with a buzzer beater from Vikings Senior Ella Langer who gave her team a 31-19 lead heading into the locker room.
“Whether that shot gives you a 12-point lead or a 2-point lead, it still kind of carries the same momentum in regards to how small it could be, or how big it really is in the moment,” said Vikings Head Coach Jason McCall of Langer. “That was good for us. It’s always a good way to go into the half on a buzzer beater like that, and the girls really rallied behind it.”
Neilheisel opened the third quarter with a bucket putting the Wolves back within 10, but the Vikings didn’t skip a beat carrying their first half momentum into the second half with a shot from Senior Rylie Knop, followed by three 3-pointers from Delaney Goshorn, who put the Vikings up 42-28.
Wolves Senior Emma Reginato launched a 3-pointer following Goshorn’s shot to temporarily stop the bleeding, but the Vikings continued to surge when Paulsen was fouled making a 3-pointer, and added the extra point giving the Vikings a 48-34 lead.
Early into the fourth quarter, Vikings Sophomore Makenna Paulsen made a 3-pointer expanding the Vikings lead to 54-36. Stangl responded with a free throw, followed by a 3-point shot, keeping her team within striking distance. The Vikings offense was too much as Goshorn continued to make shots finishing with 26 points on the night, leading her team to victory.
“It was good,” Goshorn said. “The layoff kind of helped. I had five days to work on my own on my 3-pointers a little bit, and it showed tonight, and it was really rewarding.”
The Vikings return to action Thursday on the road against the 8-2 Coon Rapids-Bayard Crusaders who have won three consecutive games with their most recent victory coming against West Harrison Hawkeyes in grand fashion, 58-10. The Crusaders are led by Malia Clayburg averaging 14.3 points per game, Breeley Clayburg averaging 6.7 rebounds, and Anna Hart averaging 4.3 assists.
“Just playing our game, having them scouted good, and just knowing we have to play to our pace, our tempo, and hopefully we come out with a win,” Goshorn added.
The Wolves will be back on the court Friday on the road against the 7-5 Tri-Center Trojans, who have won two of their previous three matches. The Trojans are led by Alexis Flaharty averaging 13 points and 9 rebounds per game, along with Quincey Schneckloth averaging 3.4 assists per game.
“We just have to keep continuing to improve,” Rasmussen said. “Offensively, I think we’ve gotten better attacking the basket. We have to play really good defense, and we can’t turn the ball over. We have to take care of it.”