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PALM BEACH, FL (VCSUVikings.com)- Valley City State’s fourth-quarter rally fell just short Thursday afternoon as the Viking women’s basketball team dropped its first game in Florida, 78-75.
Playing in the Keiser University Classic, VCSU trailed 61-45 before rallying to within two points in the final minute against Shawnee State. The Viking rally ended just short as Nisja Bass’ go-ahead 3-point attempt was blocked in the final seconds.
The loss ends a 10-game winning streak for the Vikings, who hadn’t lost since Nov. 5. VCSU drops to 13-4 overall. The Vikings are receiving votes in the NAIA Division II Top 25 Poll. Shawnee State improves to 16-1 overall. The Bears are ranked No. 10 in the latest NAIA Division I Top 25 Poll.
Georgia Williams scored a career-high 29 points for the Vikings on Thursday as she went 10-for-15 shooting and 3-for-4 on 3-pointers. Kennedy Henningsgard scored 15 points and had four assists for the Vikings, while Hannah Schlecht had 10 points and eight rebounds. Due to injuries, VCSU dressed just eight players on Thursday.
“I love the fight and grit this group has,” said VCSU coach Jill DeVries. “They never give up and believe in each other. They’ve had to deal with an unfair share of adversity, but have focused and battled each night out and the goal remains the same. They are fun to coach.”
Shawnee State held a 17-14 lead after the first quarter and a 37-28 edge at halftime. The Bears went up 61-45 late in the third quarter before the Vikings stormed back. Georgia Williams and Hannah Schlecht combined for 13 points as VCSU mounted a 15-2 run to pull within 63-60 with 6:35 remaining.
A jumper by Lexi Lennon cut the lead with 77-75 with 13 seconds left, and Shawnee State missed two free throw attempts giving the Vikings a chance in the final seconds. Bass’ game-winning 3-point attempt with two seconds left was blocked though and Shawnee State added a late free throw for the final margin.
Jonessa Moore scored 21 points to lead Shawnee State. Brandie Snow had 13 points.
VCSU shot 42 percent from the field (27-64), 39 percent on 3’s (7-18) and 64 percent at the line (14-22). VCSU had 13 assists and 13 turnovers.
Shawnee State finished at 46 percent overall (29-63), 24 percent on 3’s (5-21) and 68 percent at the line (15-22). The Bears had 20 assists and 12 turnovers.
Shawnee State held a 41-36 edge in rebounds, and both teams finished with 13 offensive rebounds.
Up next: Valley City State closes its road trip to Florida on Friday with a 5 p.m. ET/4 p.m. CT game against Anna Maria College – an NCAA Division III school.