Grand View Hits Three-Pointer at Buzzer
La Crosse, Wis. - Grand View University's Matt Banzhaf hit a three-pointer as time expired to lead the Vikings to a 62-59 win over Viterbo University here at R.W. Beggs Senior Gymnasium.
Trailing 56-49 with just under six minutes to play, Grand View University used a 10-3 run to tie the game at 59 with 2:08 remaining. Both teams would have ample opportunities in the final two minutes to break the tie but neither team could. Viterbo would have three opportunities in the final minute including a three-pointer attempt with four seconds left by Eric Ambrose (Sr. - Twin Lakes, Wis.). Corey Viet would pull down the rebound for the Vikings and outlet to Banzhaf who took one dribble and let it fly from 30 feet. The ball went through the net as time expired to send Grand View past Viterbo.
Viterbo would open a 16-5 lead with 12:10 remaining in the first half. After Grand View cut their deficit to four (20-16), the V-Hawks would take its largest lead of the game at 31-18 with 2:09 remaining in the first half. Ryan Ambrose (Sr./Jr. - Twin Lakes, Wis.) scored six points to spark the 11-2 run. The Vikings would slowly chip away as they cut their deficit to 38-33 on a three-pointer by Banzhaf with 14:00 minutes left in the second half. The V-Hawks would extend it back to double digits (52-42) with 8:07 remaining but the Vikings had one last push in them.
V-Hawk senior Scott Buschman (Naperville, Ill.) led all scorers as he finished with 20 points and 13 rebounds. It was his ninth double-double of the season as he is now averaging 20.1 points per game and 10.0 rebounds per game. Ryan Ambrose joined Buschman in double figures with 16 points. Viet led the Vikings with 16 points while Banzhaf chipped in 14 points.
Neither team shot very well from the floor as Viterbo finished 17-47 (36.2%) while the Vikings finished 21-61 (34.4%). Viterbo did have a 46-31 advantage on the boards including 13 offensive rebounds. One of the key stats in the game was that Viterbo finished with 15 turnovers while the Vikings committed just 3 turnovers in the contest.
The loss drops the V-Hawks to 3-10 overall and 1-1 in Midwest Collegiate Conference play. The Vikings, ranked 17th in the last NAIA Top-25 poll, are now 13-3 on the season and 2-1 in MCC action. Viterbo will be back in action next when they travel to Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Wednesday to take on the Mustangs of Mount Mercy College. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 pm.
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