The Grand Views

Issue date: 2/5/10 Section: Sports

Grant Burns, senior point guard, looks to make a pass in the Vikings 87-66 win against William Penn on Jan. 28. Burns was selected as MCC player of the week after averaging 11 assists and 13 points in the last three games. He leads the conference in assists (7.38 per game) and in second in the NAIA.

Bailey Schechinger, senior forward, shoots over a William Penn defender in the Vikings 71-58 win against William Penn on Jan. 28. Schechinger had 12 points and seven rebounds in the win.

The basketball program has flourished over the last weeks with winning streaks for both the men and women. Both teams are ranked nationally. The men are ranked No. 17 and the women are No. 21 and are in the top two in the conference.



Women's Basketball

The Viking women have won five of their last games and are 9-2 in conference. Their recent triumphs include a 60-41 win over the Viterbo V-Hawks, a 71-58 win over rival William Penn and the upset of nationally ranked No. 17 St. Ambrose 80-78 in overtime.

"The girls are fun to watch," Sarah Francis, women's assistant coach, said, "They go up and down the floor fast and are definitely playing better together."

They received national votes which ranked them at No. 21 because of their exceptional play. In the MCC conference, the lady Vikings are second behind Iowa Wesleyan.

"It's a pretty strong conference," Francis said, "so being second puts us in a good position to take care of business when we play Iowa Wesleyan."

Molly Gunsaulus, senior guard said, "We are starting to mesh together as a team on the court."

Jennifer Jorgensen, freshman forward, has been named player of the week for the third time this season. Last week she averaged 21 points per game, eight rebounds and 4.3 assists.

"As long as we keep winning we'll be great," Jorgensen said. "We are in a good position for the last five games."



Men's Basketball

The Viking men have won four of their last five games. They had two crucial victories at home recently. They beat William Penn 87-66 on Jan. 28, a season low in points for William Penn. Last Saturday they defeated Viterbo V-Hawks 72-56.

"The team played their best 40 minutes against William Penn," Denis Schaefer, men's head coach, said. "The win over Viterbo puts us first place in conference by one game in front."

Corey Viet, senior foward, had a career high 35 points against William Penn and Grant Burns, senior point guard, received MCC player of the week honors for his play against both teams.

Burns is second in the NAIA in assists by averaging 7.38 assists per game.

"Viet and Burns have stepped up a lot," Schaefer said, "We are starting to peak at the right time - it is now time to make a push into the last five games."

"Our overall record is pretty good," Dan Brandhorst, senior guard, said. "We are in first place after the Viterbo game but still have five more game to play before we can celebrate."

Tomorrow the Vikings will travel to Ashford before hosting two home games against Iowa Wesleyan on Wednesday Feb. 10 and Saturday Feb. 13 against Clarke.

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