By Becky Walz,
The Decorah girls basketball team (8-7, 4-1 NEIC) endured every punch New Hampton threw at it Friday night to collect a conference win. Then Monday, the Vikings hit the road in non-conference action with West Delaware, dropping a close contest.
Back on track
Following a three game skid with two of those losses against ranked opponents, the Viking girls picked up a crucial win Friday over New Hampton (2-13, 0-5 NEIC) at home 58-52.
Decorah took an early 16-10 lead after the first quarter and allowed the Chickasaws another 10 in the second as the Vikes strode to a 34-20 halftime lead. The home squad continued to lead 50-43 after three periods; however, the game came down to determination in Decorah’s favor after point guard Claire Storhoff left the game with an injury in the third. New Hampton came within four points of the lead but fell short as the Vikes held on for the win.
“I can’t say enough about this group. Incredibly proud of our players and coaches battling through adversity in this game and sticking together to get this conference win. Many girls stepped up in roles on offense, defense and most of them had to play positions they haven’t played all year. Our bench was huge, giving the players on the court the surge they needed. This game shows the team-first mentality they’ve exhibited all year, and their commitment to play for each other,” said coach Blake Moen. “It was also senior night, so I want to recognize our three seniors, Kera Walter, Ella Carlson and Elizabeth Bjork. They have been instrumental in the development of our program. I appreciate all they do, and it was fun to celebrate their night with a win.”
Storhoff paced the Decorah offense with 22 points with six steals and four rebounds. Brooklyn Fromm stepped up for 13 points and four boards, while Grace Tangen came off the pine to contributed nine points and seven rebounds. Liz Bucksa added six points, three boards and three steals.
Scoring – Claire Storhoff 21; Brooklyn Fromm 11; Grace Tangen 9; Liz Bucksa 7; Renae Wilson 3; Kelby Kerndt 3; Kera Walter 2; Clara Hjelle 2
Rebounds – Tangen 10; Storhoff 5; Bucksa 5; Fromm 5; Hjelle 5; Wilson 3; Kerndt 2; Natalie Stevens 1; Assists – Hjelle 3; Walter 1; Bucksa 1; Fromm 1; Kerndt 1; Steals – Storhoff 5; Fromm 5; Bucksa 3; Hjelle 2; Kerndt 2; Walter 1; Wilson 1; Tangen 1; Blocks – Fromm 1
Non-conference
A pair of slow offensive quarters put the Vikings in a hole they couldn’t quite dig themselves out of as they took on West Delaware (10-6) in Manchester Monday, falling 47-39.
Trailing 19-9 after the opening stanza, Decorah picked up the pace in the second period to pull within two at the break 25-23. The offensive woes returned for the Vikes in the third as the Hawks outscored the visitors 19-5 to leave Decorah scrambling in the final eight minutes without enough time to come back.
“It’s never easy to lose, but I’m proud of how the group responded to a tough challenge against a good team. Our start in the first quarter hurt us, but I was happy to see us outscore West Delaware after the first quarter. The girls showed a lot of great effort and fight and it gives us something to keep building on,” said Moen.
Sydney Thompson stepped up to lead the Vikes with 17 points with Fromm on her heels with 16.
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