MVC basketball: Lady Vikings drop debut

The Missouri Valley College women's basketball team stayed even with perennial NAIA Division II power College of the Ozarks for the first 14 minutes Tuesday, but couldn't keep up with the visitors all the way during a 68-55 non-conference loss to open the 2009-10 season.

After four ties and four lead changes, the Lady Bobcats pulled away late in the first half with a 16-6 run behind three three-pointers from junior Megan Jewell.

Junior Gita Grava and senior McCall Budke struck from outside early in the second half to whittle the Lady Vikings' deficit to three points, but Ozarks used a 15-2 five-minute spree to build an insurmountable 18-point lead with 10:29 left in the game.

The Lady Bobcats nailed down the win by sinking 20 of 21 free throws during the second half.

Sophomore Tara LaRue and freshman Morgan Smith each had 17 points and 11 rebounds to pace Ozarks (1-0) -- whick reached the NAIA semifinals last year after dropping three straight title games.

Senior Jordanne Walker and freshman Deanna Sieckman topped Valley with nine points apiece -- while Grava had 12 rebounds, three steals and a pair of blocked shots.

The Lady Vikings (0-1) will play Saturday at Hannibal-LaGrange.