Pioneers Come Back to Beat Valley

The Basics
Score: MNU 83 - Missouri Valley 78
Record: MNU (19-10), MVC (13-16)
Location: Cook Center - Olathe, Kan.

OLATHE, Kan. – The Pioneers trailed by 10 in the 2nd half, but stormed back to beat Missouri Valley 83-78 in the Conference Tournament Quarterfinals on Wednesday. MNU won a back-and-forth 1st quarter 22-19, and held a 9-point lead with 5 minutes left in the 2nd. But Valley rallied for a 19-8 run to close the period for a 2-point halftime lead. The momentum continued into the 3rd quarter, as MNU struggled to score and Valley used an 11-3 run to take a 10-point lead. But in the final 3 minutes of the 3rd, the Pioneers scored 11 straight points to take the lead into the 4th. MNU stretched the lead to 7 with 2:50 remaining in the game, but Valley went on a 5-0 run to close the gap. Clutch free throws from Bi'Anna Pettis and a bucket from Aubrey Rogers kept the Vikings at bay, and MNU held on to win by 5.

Turning Point
MNU's 11-0 run to close the 3rd period turned a deficit into a lead.

Inside the Box Score
MNU won the turnover battle 23-11.

Individual Leaders
Aubrey Rogers shot 7-13 (4-6 3FG, 6-6 FT) for a career-high tying 24 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 steals off the bench. Arielle Sargent had 16 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 steals. Kameron Green shot 7-13 for 14 points and 6 assists. Bi'Anna Pettis added 12 points and 4 steals. And Lydia Ostenson had 10 points and 5 rebounds.
 
Up Next
The next game for the 3-seed Pioneers is the semifinals of the Heart Conference Tournament at 2-seed and #20-ranked Grand View (25-4, 20-4) on Saturday at 4:00.