Vikings Win Top Ten Clash
The Wisco basketball team defended its home court and overcame an 11-point deficit in the second half to defeat D1 #9 Arrowhead by a score of 76-69 on Tuesday night at WLHS. The win marked the Vikings' third victory over a top ten team this season.
Wisco ran out to 22-14 lead on the strength of a defense that forced the visitors into eight first-half turnovers. But the Warhawks outworked the Vikings over the last six minutes of the half and closed on an 18-6 run to take a 32-28 lead into the locker room.
Landon Key's basket knotted the game at 37-37 a few minutes in the second half. But Arrowhead took advantage of missed shots by the Vikings and put them on their heels defensively in a 15-4 run that saw the Warhawks grab a 52-41 advantage with 11 minutes remaining.
But Wisco had an answer. Kon Knueppel's three-pointer ended a scoring drought, Jamiir Allen scored on the next possession, Key converted two free throws after a steal and foul, and London Ashford connected from downtown to bring the Vikings within a point at 52-51 and make it a ballgame again. A minute later, Ashford rebounded Knueppel's missed three and kicked it back out to him behind the arc. The sophomore drained the second attempt from deep to give Wisco its first lead since the first half at 56-54.
With the game tied at 64 and less than three minutes remaining, Allen stole the ball and seconds later MJ Townsend found him all alone at the three-point line. His only three-point attempt of the night was good and gave the Vikings a lead they would not relinquish. Down the stretch, Brendan Lane converted five of six from the charity stripe to seal the victory.
Wisco won despite an uncharacteristically poor night from behind the arc and despite being outrebounded 38-33. They made up for that by shooting 63% inside the arc, forcing 16 Arrowhead turnovers, and sinking 14 of 18 free throw attempts. Kon Knueppel paced the team with 19 points, seven rebounds, six assists, and three blocked shots. Allen added 14 points and three assists, Key scored 12 points and had a team-high four steals, and a pair of Vikings provided valuable bench contributions. Josh Knueppel scored eight first-half points to keep the team in the game and Lane scored his eight points after halftime to solidify the win.
More stats are available here. The Vikings host conference foe Greendale on Friday night.
Back
Wisco ran out to 22-14 lead on the strength of a defense that forced the visitors into eight first-half turnovers. But the Warhawks outworked the Vikings over the last six minutes of the half and closed on an 18-6 run to take a 32-28 lead into the locker room.
Landon Key's basket knotted the game at 37-37 a few minutes in the second half. But Arrowhead took advantage of missed shots by the Vikings and put them on their heels defensively in a 15-4 run that saw the Warhawks grab a 52-41 advantage with 11 minutes remaining.
But Wisco had an answer. Kon Knueppel's three-pointer ended a scoring drought, Jamiir Allen scored on the next possession, Key converted two free throws after a steal and foul, and London Ashford connected from downtown to bring the Vikings within a point at 52-51 and make it a ballgame again. A minute later, Ashford rebounded Knueppel's missed three and kicked it back out to him behind the arc. The sophomore drained the second attempt from deep to give Wisco its first lead since the first half at 56-54.
With the game tied at 64 and less than three minutes remaining, Allen stole the ball and seconds later MJ Townsend found him all alone at the three-point line. His only three-point attempt of the night was good and gave the Vikings a lead they would not relinquish. Down the stretch, Brendan Lane converted five of six from the charity stripe to seal the victory.
Wisco won despite an uncharacteristically poor night from behind the arc and despite being outrebounded 38-33. They made up for that by shooting 63% inside the arc, forcing 16 Arrowhead turnovers, and sinking 14 of 18 free throw attempts. Kon Knueppel paced the team with 19 points, seven rebounds, six assists, and three blocked shots. Allen added 14 points and three assists, Key scored 12 points and had a team-high four steals, and a pair of Vikings provided valuable bench contributions. Josh Knueppel scored eight first-half points to keep the team in the game and Lane scored his eight points after halftime to solidify the win.
More stats are available here. The Vikings host conference foe Greendale on Friday night.
