Graceland’s Late Surge Not Enough in 81–69 Loss at Grand View

DES MOINES, Iowa — The Graceland University Yellowjackets (1-8, 0-3 Heart of America Athletic Conference) dropped a road contest to Heart of America frontrunner Grand View University (7-3, 4-0 HAAC), 81-69, on Tuesday night inside the Johnson Wellness Center.

Graceland shot 47.4 percent from the field and connected on 40.0 percent from beyond the arc, but 22 personal fouls and 14 turnovers allowed Grand View to control the tempo and convert high-percentage opportunities. The host Vikings used a 22-5 edge in second-chance points and a 48-16 advantage in points in the paint to create separation in the middle quarters.

Junior Ianara Morbidoni led the Yellowjackets with 17 points, shooting 7-of-14 from the floor and 3-of-7 from three. Senior point guard Nateonia Russell posted a complete line with 9 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists, but was limited by foul trouble and committed a team-high five turnovers.

"We showed improvement in stretches tonight, but couldn't overcome the breakdowns on the glass and at the stripe," said Graceland head coach Willie Scott. "We were effective in the half-court, but we've got to value possessions better and get tougher defensively."

Graceland trailed 46-37 at halftime after a strong second quarter from Grand View, who scored 23 points and hit 6-of-7 from the line. The Yellowjackets held a 17-16 scoring edge in the final period and closed the game on a 15-6 run, including a pair of threes from Morbidoni.

Sophomore Sariah Bradley added 8 points, 3 assists, and 2 steals, while Maxine Ampofo chipped in 8 points and 1 rebound. Brooklyn Davis provided a spark off the bench with 8 points on 3-of-5 shooting, including a first-quarter triple that gave Graceland its largest lead at 13-11.

Grand View was led by Anna Gossling's 20 points on 9-of-13 shooting and Amaya Davison's 19-point, 6-rebound, 3-assist performance. The Vikings were 22-of-26 at the free throw line (84.6%), compared to just 5-of-13 (38.5%) for the Yellowjackets.

Graceland trailed by just three early in the second quarter after a Morbidoni three-pointer cut the deficit to 25-22. However, a 12-2 run by the Vikings midway through the second frame stretched the lead to double digits, and the Yellowjackets never recovered.

Despite the loss, Graceland's 10 made three-pointers tied a season high, and the team outscored Grand View's bench 22-20. The Yellowjackets recorded 12 assists on 27 made field goals, their second-highest assist total of the season.

NEXT UP: Graceland will head to Maryville, Missouri, for an exhibition matchup against NCAA Division II power Northwest Missouri State on Sunday, November 30, with tipoff scheduled for 1:00 p.m. CST inside Bearcat Arena.

The Yellowjackets will return to conference action on Wednesday, December 3, when they host Clarke University (Iowa) at 5:30 p.m. CST inside the Morden Center in Lamoni, Iowa.

For more information on Graceland women's basketball and all of Graceland athletics, visit GUjackets.com.