Vikings fall short against Huskies
The Augustana Vikings face off against the Keyano Huskies for the last home game of the season. Both teams determined to give it their all, came out strong and ready. The first quarter ended with a tied score of 16-16.
The second quarter continued with motivation and hard work from the first. There were back to back baskets scored. Great defence from Vikings #6 Alyssa Banez caused Huskies to turn over. With an assist from Vikings #7 Sheridan Popenia, #6 Alyssa Banez was able to shoot and score a three that had the fans off their feet. Huskies #8 Aliyah Johnson did a dribble move and made a jump from outside the key. With less than 5 minutes left of the quarter, and a score of 26-22 for Vikings, Dwayne Vigilance, Head Coach for Huskies called a time out to hope that he can refocus his team before the half. The Huskies kick it into overdrive with less than two minutes to close the gap of over ten points before the half. Half time score was 37-29.
The third quarter started well for both teams. Huskies worked hard to swing the ball. Huskies Kaitlyn de Sousa Martins #7 got a buzzer-beater basket. Huskies #10 Joy Victor makes a contested layup scoring for her team. Vikings #3 Megan Hebert makes a three that sends the fans to their feet. With 1 point difference, Vikings #15 Hannah Mitchell makes a layup furthering the gap for her team. Huskies #11 Casey Gorieu makes a three-pointer making the score 48-50 for them. Huskies, ahead by 2 with less than two minutes, call a time out to figure out a game plan. Vikings #13 Alexis Myschuk scores a three-pointer that secures the lead ending the quarter for them. The quarter ended with a score of 55-50 for the Vikings.
After an intense third, the team goes into the fourth with just as much intensity. Vikings Head Coach John Dedrick called out for his team to relax and play their game as the score fluctuated between 2 points. With a 1 point difference and less than 5 minutes of the game left, tensions were high. Vikings #3 Megan Hebert made a game-changing three bringing her teams total score up to 59 against the Huskies 63. With the 5 point gap, Vikings #6 Alyssa Banez lines up and makes two free throws. Huskies #10 Joy Victor was unstoppable with her fast-break layups keeping her team in the game. The game tension is high being able to still go anyway with the score being 64-66 with a minute left. The fans from both sides are ecstatic as the final few seconds wrap up. Vikings needing three to tie, call a time to strategize their last couple of plays. Despite Viking's best efforts, they were unable to catch up. The game finishes with a score of 66-71 for the Huskies.
Player of the Game was awarded to the visiting Keyano Huskies #10 Joy Victor and the hometown Augustana Vikings #6 Alyssa Banez.