MVC MEN'S BASKETBALL GETS HISTORIC WIN SATURDAY

 

 

MVC MEN'S BASKETBALL GETS HISTORIC WIN SATURDAY

 

 

Marshall, Mo. (November 2, 2013)- The Missouri Valley College men's basketball team opened its 2013-2014 season with a home matchup against Hannibal-LaGrange University Saturday afternoon.  The Vikings led through much of the game, and came away with an 80-63 victory, giving Head Coach Chad Lance a historic win as he becomes the all-time wins leader for the men's basketball program.

 

The Vikings struggled in the early minutes of Saturday's game, as Hannibal-LaGrange jumped out to a 12-6 lead with just under 14-minutes to play in the first half.  However, the Vikings turned things around in a hurry, as they proceeded to go on an 18-0 run over the next five minutes and turned that six point deficit into a 12-point lead at 24-12.  Senior Jim Thomas (St. Louis, Mo.) had 10 of the 18 points in that run to help put MVC ahead for good.  Hannibal-LaGrange was able to cut MVC's lead down to seven points late in the first half, but the Vikings eventually went into the halftime break holding a 36-28 lead.

 

The Vikings shot just over 40-percent in the first half, and forced the Trojans into 11 turnovers.  The Vikings also outrebounded Hannibal-LaGrange by a 22-15 margin.

 

The Vikings started the second half strong, scoring the first seven points, and eventually built up a 43-28 lead in the first two minutes of the half.  The Trojans chipped away at the MVC lead over the next eight minutes, and eventually got to within seven points at 53-46 with just over 10-minutes remaining in the game and then again at 63-46 with just under five minutes remaining in the game.  The Vikings ended the game strong, however, finishing Hannibal-LaGrange off by outscoring the Trojans 17-7 in the game's final minutes to pull away 80-63.

 

Leading the way for MVC was Thomas who had 22 points on 8 of 14 shooting.  Junior Johnny Brown (Kansas City, Mo.) finished with 11 points, five assists and two steals, while Sophomore Raviel Burton (St. Johns, Antigua) finished with 13 points on 6 of 8 shooting and seven rebounds.  Also in double-figures was Sophomore Jacob Powell (Marshfield, Mo.) who had 10 points with seven rebounds.

 

As a team the Vikings just 45.5 percent along with going 15 of 18 from the free throw line.  MVC forced 19 Hannibal-LaGrange turnovers, scoring 23 points off those turnovers.  The Vikings also won the rebound battle by a 39 to 29 margin.

 

The win improves MVC to 1-0 on the season while Hannibal-LaGrange drops to 0-2.

 

The win Saturday also was Head Coach Chad Lance's 144^th win as MVC coach, moving him atop the all-time wins list, breaking a tie he held with Grover C. Redford.  Coach Lance's achievement will be recognized at Monday night's game with William Woods.

 

The Viking men's and women's basketball teams will host a doubleheader with William Woods Monday at the Burns Athletic Complex.  Women's game begins at 5:30 p.m., with the men's game at 7:30 p.m.

 

 

About Missouri Valley College

Known for its dynamic, richly diverse, and friendly educational environment, Missouri Valley College offers many opportunities to grow in mind, body, and spirit. Grounded in the liberal arts, undergraduate studies empower students to master interdisciplinary skills needed to succeed in a knowledge-based global society. MVC offers over 40 academic programs, study abroad program, honors program, extracurricular activities, and 13 sports. The most popular majors include education and business, and some new majors are ag-business, nursing, graphic design, and health information systems (associate degree). Above all, Valley is committed to student success. For more information, call (660) 831-4000 or visit www.moval.edu.