Sophomore point guard Aaliyah Carter supplied a double-double of 12 points and 15 rebounds, but it was not enough for the Vikings to overcome a 16-point deficit in a 62-59 playoff loss to the Riverside City Tigers.
The Vikings clamped down on defense in the fourth quarter with four minutes to go which helped them cut the lead and bring themselves back into the game.
Carter managed to convert on a traditional three-point play after being fouled on a jump shot to put the Vikings within one.
A turnover from RCC allowed freshman center Chioma Okenwa to bully a defender and put in the go-ahead basket to give the Vikings a 55-54 lead, their first lead since the first minute of the game.
The lead for both teams stayed within three points and a costly foul by the Vikings that lead to the Tigers converting both free throws put the Vikings down 62-59 with two seconds on the clock.
The Tigers converted 13 out of 16 free throws on the night.
Viking Head Coach Ollie Brent took a timeout to draw up a play where Amanda Lopez took a shot from three, but missed as time expired.
The Vikings ultimately ran out of gas in the final minutes of the fourth quarter with the Tigers going on a 6-0 run to close out the game.
“We had the chance to win. Crucial turnovers at the end of the game and missed layups…it sucks,” Brent said.
The Vikings got off to a slow start with the Tigers pulling away 25-14 in the first quarter.
The trouble for the Vikings seeped into the second quarter as they went down by as much as 16, but managed to go into the half down 39-28.
The 11-point deficit was erased after halftime by the gritty defense as a unit inspired by Carter’s energy and the silky guard play of the Vikings.
During the second half, the Vikings forced an abundance of turnovers with their fundamental defense.
Sophomore guard Jaden Sanderson contributed 14 points, nine rebounds, and four steals.
Her strong finishes, silky layups, and jump shot helped the Vikings crawl back into the game.
“Devastated,” said Assistant Coach Vince Nicholson explaining his feelings after the game.
“Mentally we were prepared to go all the way (to the championship). This was a great group of sophomore girls and they gave it their all,” said Nicholson.
This loss eliminates the Vikings from the playoffs and ends their 21-7 season.