Double A Barnum Bombers came to Grand Marais last Friday and ran into a formidable Class A Viking team.
The shorter Vikings played a tenacious “man” defense, and it was all hands on deck when it came to rebounding. Crashing the boards in mass and fighting for every loose ball were Alyssa Spry, Ariana Poyirier, Abbie Crawford, Paisley Smith, Emma Gesch, Rhonnie Poyirier and the rest of the subs off of the bench.
Sophomore guard Ariana Poyirier made quite a few steals while playing defense, but often the Vikings failed to convert on those takeaways. Still, Barnum was only 8 points ahead going into the last three minutes of play.
That’s when Abbie Crawford nailed a long three from the top of the key and Alyssa Spry canned a two-point basket after the Vikings stopped a stalling Barnum team on the other end of the court.
With one minute to play the Vikings were down 45-43, and it looked like an upset was in the making. However, Barnum’s Makenzee Schleret came right back and hit a big three to boost the Bomber’s lead to five, 48-43.
Failing to convert on their next offensive series, the Vikings fouled the Barnum center and she made one of her two free throws.
Down six, the Vikings wasted no time, racing down the court where Alyssa Spry got a good look and put in a long three.
On then next play, with the clock winding down, the Vikings fouled the Barnum 6’2” center Jordyn Marine again, and Marine made both free throws, sealing the win in Barnum’s favor 51-46.
Marine caused problems for the Vikings inside all night long because of her length. Still, the Vikings boxed out better this game maybe more than any other game and the rebounding totals had to be close to even, or maybe even favored the smaller Vikings.
Alyssa Spry, who doesn’t often score many points and is noted for her tough defense and passing, ended her night with 12 points. Ariana Poyirier also finished with a dozen points, Abbie Crawford had 10, and Paisley Smith and Rhonnie Poyirier ended with 6 points each in a balanced scoring attack for the Vikings.
Jordyn Marine led Barnum with 18 points.
The Vikings have three home games this week; all after the paper will be put to bed. The Vikings play Denfeld in a rematch on Thursday, Feb. 14, the Fond du Lac in Grand Portage the next right, with the game starting at 4:45 p.m. and then Floodwood on Saturday, Feb 16 in a 2 p.m. game. The Vikings last regular season game will be played on Feb. 22 in Nashwauk.
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