Pete Sutton hit a long three to start the game off on the right foot for the Vikings against a good, Double A Barnum Bombers team last Friday night in a home game.
For most of the first half the score was close.
After eight minutes of play the Vikings were up 16-15 and with five minutes to go in the half the score was 23-25 in favor of Barnum. Unfortunately for the Vikings, Barnum would end the half on a 14-2 run and go into the break up 39-25.
Some of that great run was due to great play, but there were also some mystifying referee calls–or no calls–that helped Barnum along the way. Sutton was knocked over after shooting a couple of long threes and Jordan Porter took a couple of hard hits underneath the basket without drawing a whistle.
Will Ramberg was mugged on a couple of drives to the basket, sometimes getting a call but more often than not, he didn’t get a call, just some hard shots from hard-nosed defenders.
On one play Will drove to the basket and when he was in the air a Barnum player moved into his way and Will was called for charging as both players landed in a heap.
In fact, Will, who rarely fouls, fouled out of this contest with three minutes left to play. That last call was interesting because a Barnum player was over his back on a rebound and knocked Will to the floor. Somehow that turned into a foul for Will and he was done for the night.
With about five minutes to play the score was 51-42 in favor of Barnum, but the Bombers went on an eight-point run and made the score 60-42, and despite never giving up, the Vikings lost 68-53.
Overall Barnum was the better team, but they didn’t need any help along the way.
A bright spot for the Vikings was the play of Keegan Morrison, who started. Keegan played tough defense and handled the Barnum pressure very well. He had a couple of long shots rim out, but on any other night those shots will fall. Adam Dorr also played well on defense, handled the ball well and grabbed a half-dozen rebounds underneath.
Jordan Porter and Pete Sutton led the team in scoring with 17 points each. Will Ramberg netted 15, with Adam Dorr and Keegan Morrison finishing with 3 points.
Vikings fall in overtime to Marshall
Despite Will Ramberg pouring in 47 points against Duluth Marshall last Monday, Feb. 11, the Vikings fell in overtime 91-86.
The game was played in Duluth. Pete Sutton had a good night shooting, putting in 21 points and Jordan Porter finished with 13 points.
“We played well for the most part,” said head coach Colin Everson. “We did a lot of things well and found a little bit of a flow. We were up most of the game, but a few slip-ups late down the stretch cost us some points and gave up some easy points as well. I’m proud of the way we battled throughout the whole game.”
On Friday, Feb. 15 the Vikings play in Grand Portage against Fond du Lac. The game will start at 6:15 p.m.
On Saturday, the next day, the Vikings play Floodwood at home at 3:45 p.m.
The Vikings’ last home game of the year will be against Mountain Iron-Buhl at 6:30 p.m. Come out and cheer for your Vikings!
Leave a Reply