Lady Vikes' season limps to end

Sophomore Chelsea Quiring had 10 points and eight rebounds in the Lady Vikings' season finale. (Chris Allen/Democrat-News) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

Benedictine built a 19-point lead by halftime Saturday and cruised to an 83-57 Heart of America Conference road victory to end the Missouri Valley College women's basketball team's season.

The Lady Vikings took control with a 15-4 run early in the first half, getting three-pointers from sophomore Alexa Hollembeak and seniors Lacy Leonard and Sydni Kovac during the stretch.

Sophomore Chelsea Quiring made back-to-back buckets to reduce the Lady Vikings' deficit to seven points, but Benedictine closed the half with a 16-4 spree which began with three free throws by freshman Alicia Garoutte.

Senior Abby Winder started the second half with a bomb, bumping the margin to 22 points. It would reach 28 points before Valley enjoyed a brief 11-2 surge, kicked off by a transition goal and two charity shots by senior Ashley Sequeira.

However, 19 points was as close as the Lady Vikings would get, the visitors gradually pumping their cushion to 28 points with a minute remaining.

Winder, Kovac and sophomore Heather Wansing each scored 15 points for the Lady Ravens (21-9, 16-4 HAAC), who finished second in the league standings and will host either Baker or Lindenwood -- depending on the outcome of today's snow-delayed game between the Lady Wildcats and Graceland -- in the first round of the Heart of America Conference Post-season Tournament.

Sequeira's 20 points and 10 rebounds marked her seventh double-double of the season, and she also led Valley with three assists and two steals. The Lady Vikings (5-26, 3-17) had 24 turnovers, 13 more than Benedictine, to increase their giveaway margin to minus-6.56 per game -- third worst in the NAIA.

The good news for Valley is that Sequeira was the only senior in the playing rotation, so there is a good chance for improvement next season -- especially with a solid recruiting campaign.