Men’s Basketball Conquered Missouri Valley

Lamoni, Iowa - The Graceland University Men's Basketball team took on the Missouri Valley College Vikings. The Yellowjackets defeated the Vikings, 87-83. Graceland move to 15-3 and are 12-2 in the conference.

Graceland (15-3, 12-2) | Missouri Valley (8-10, 7-7)
Half 1: Graceland 48 | Missouri Valley 37
Aleksa Markovic would sink a layup and push a 7-0 lead early; Darrius Davis would contribute (layup). Following back-to-back threes from Austin Braun (13-6). The Yellowjacket would work a 19-3 scoring run to create a 20-point lead over the Vikings (38-18), baskets from Braun, Amitai Afenjar, Patrick Fisher, Carter Brown, Davis, and Akeen Woods. The Vikings would retaliate, put up a 13-point jump late in the half (43-35), and sink a last-second layup to end the first half. Graceland would lead by nine heading into halftime (48-37).

Half 2: Graceland 39 | Missouri Valley 46
Aleksa Markovic would start the second half and drain a jumper. Missouri Valley would come out hot for an eight-point jump, closing their deficit to five points (50-45). Akeen Woods would break their run following a JT Washington three-pointer. The Vikings would pull a 10-point increase late in the half to close their gap to six points. Graceland would see baskets from Austin Braun, Amitai Afenjar, Woods, Washington, Markovic, Patrick Fisher and Darrius Davis. The Yellowjackets would continue to hold their advantage and take the 87-83 victory.

By the numbers:
26-31– The Yellowjackets had 26 field goals and the Vikings sank 31 field goals
9-13 – Graceland had 9 three-pointer and Missouri Valley had 13
28-27 – The Yellowjackets bench points and the Vikings bench point
42-38 – Graceland rebounds compared Missouri Valley
26-8 – The Yellowjacket made charity stripe compared to the Vikings

Graceland Leaders:
Scoring Leader: Aleksa Markovic – 23
Rebounding Leader: Aleksa Markovic – 8
Assist Leader: Akeen Woods – 5
Steal Leader: Carson Busch – 3

Missouri Valley Leaders:
Scoring Leader: J'Luan Patterson – 23
Rebounding Leader: Cawhan Smith – 8
Assist Leader: Jace Lance – 6
Steal Leader: Cawhan Smith – 4

Up Next:
The Yellowjackets will be back on the road on Wednesday, January 24 when they travel to take on the Clarke University Pride. Tip-off is set for 7:30 pm.

-Yellowjackets-