The Valparaiso girls basketball team snapped a 6-game losing streak in a nail-biter against La Porte at home Friday night, pulling off a 55-53 win in the last few seconds.
The Vikings trailed the Slicers for most of the first half but kept the game within reach for a second half that saw the score tipping back and forth like a ship in choppy waters.
For Valpo, Senior Forward Jessica Gast, led the team with 20 points, making eleven of her twelve free throws.
For LaPorte, the Ott sisters combined for 29 points with Senior Point Guard Riley Ott making 6 of her 7 free throws.
Both teams swished a pair of threes. For LaPorte, Sophomores Alanti Biggers and Ryin Ott had one three apiece. For Valpo, Gast and Sophomore Kiana Oelling each scored a three.
“Conference games are always exciting. Both teams are up for it. There’s a good rivalry,” Valpo Head Coach Candy Wilson said before the game. “We’ve had a lot of really competitive, close games and we want to pull one out here tonight.”
This one seemed pulled straight out a top hat, with a close game to the very finish and some smart and safe play at the end led Valpo to take more fouls than they committed, keeping their heads just above water.
“Players are capable of doing a lot more than they think,” said Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame Coach Greg Kirby, Head Coach of the Valpo Girls Basketball Team from 1990 to 2006. He was honored during halftime, and gave the players sage advice: Take pride in the tradition.
Both teams took pride in tight play in a close game Friday night.
“We haven’t had a lot of home games lately, so it’s nice to have two in a row here tonight and tomorrow night,” Coach Wilson said, “We’re looking to stay on this winning wagon.”
Come out and cheer on the Lady Vikings as they host as they host the Highland High School Trojans Saturday at 6pm.