Peterson makes history in Vikings home win

Senior Viking Ellie Peterson made history in Tuesday’s home win over the IKM-Manning Wolves by breaking the season blocks record for the second time.

“It means a lot,” Peterson said. “I didn’t know I could do this, but it just feels good to have a school record.”

The game opened with the first bucket belonging to Wolves Junior Abby Neilheisel. Neilheisel was fouled a few plays later, making 1 of 2 free throws, giving her team a 4-point lead with six minutes remaining in the quarter.

The tide turned, however, and Wolves Freshman Anna Stangl hit a clutch 3-pointer to expand her teams lead by seven points, forcing Vikings head coach Jill Vanderhoof to use a timeout. Stangl led her team in points on the night with 23.

Peterson closed out the quarter with a bucket for the Vikings pulling them to within seven points heading into the second quarter.

Vanderhoof called a timeout with just under three minutes until halftime. Soon after, the Vikings went on a 5-0 run to finish the half, pulling within one entering the locker room. Junior Rylie Knop was the leading scorer at halftime for the Vikings with eight points, while Stangl had 10 for the Wolves.

“It’s always the little things with our team, like better passes,” Peterson said. “I think we did a little better the second half for sure.”

Stangl continued her dominant night opening up the third quarter with a shot from downtown. Not long after, Vikings Junior Delaney Goshorn was fouled on a made shot, and the Vikings were down by just two points.

Knop took matters into her own hands by shooting a 3-pointer to give the Vikings their first lead of the night at 29-28. With the two minute mark approaching, Goshorn made a shot to give the Vikings the lead once again.

Hanson put her team back in front with a successful “and one”, leading 39-38 heading into the final quarter.

The game was a see-saw affair throughout the third quarter, trading buckets and the lead.

With about three and a half minutes to go in regulation, Peterson made a bucket, and was fouled. She added the extra point, putting the Vikings up 47-44.

The Vikings then went on a 7-0 run, which forced Wolves head coach Gene Rasmussen to call a timeout approaching the two minute point.

Wolves Senior Mabel Langel finally put the Vikings run to an end, scoring to put her team back within seven.

The Wolves were clawing their way back into the game. Stangl was fouled and made both free throws, cutting the Vikings lead to five. Rasmussen called another timeout with less than 15 seconds on the clock.

The ball found Stangl once again, who hit another 3-pointer, pulling the Wolves to within three points. Rasmussen called another timeout with less than five seconds to go.

Following a Vikings turnover, the ball was given to Stangl. She attempted a 3-point shot to tie, but came up empty, and the clock expired giving the Vikings its sixth win of the season.

“They played really well,” Vanderhoof said. “We finally made some shots. We finally had a higher shooting percentage than we had lately, so that was good to see.”

The Vikings will have a few days off before playing the (1-13) Audubon Wheelers at home Friday night at 6 p.m. The Wheelers are led by Senior Audrey Jensen with 109 points. Freshman Kadence Sporrer leads with 73 rebounds and 38 assists.

“We can’t overlook them,” Vanderhoof added. “We’ve got to make sure that we continue to look, and we continue to make sure that we are taking the shots that we are confident in, and just make sure we go from there.”

The Wolves will head home to face the (12-2) Underwood Eagles Thursday night at 7:30 p.m. The Eagles are led by Junior Alizabeth Jacobsen with 181 points and 140 rebounds.

 
 

 

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