Sports : Three-pointers, turnovers doom Vikings in 46-42 loss to Benton

Chase Overton drives to the basket.

Tanner Spies led the Vikings with 13 points in Friday's loss to Benton.

With a minute and ten seconds left to go in the third quarter, the Vinton-Shellsburg basketball team held its biggest lead of the night: 6 points.

Ten seconds later, they were behind by one.

A three-point shot followed by two stolen passes and quick Bobcat buckets set the tone for the end of the game, which included a few more stolen passes leading to quick baskets. The final steal, with 100 seconds left in the game, helped the Bobcats maintain possession of the ball for well over one minute and seal a 46-42 victory. It was the 10th game of the year decided by four points or fewer for the Vikings.

Tanner Spies, wearing a shoulder brace, returned to action after missing some games due to that injury. He led the Vikings with 13 points. KCRG TV Athlete of the Week Nolan Sagan added 11 for the Vikings.

The Vikings are now 4-12 on the season; they lost at Williamsburg on Thursday.

Benton senior Cameron Touro helped his team to an early lead with four first-period three-pointers; he scored the first 9 points for the Bobcats.

See the Vikings schedule/record page HERE.

Rippel leads sophomores to win

Tyler Rippel scored eight of his 27 points in the final minute of the sophomore game, on three lay-ups and two free throws. The Vikings needed all 8 of those points to hold off the Bobcats and win 44-41. After two baskets and a free throw by Rippel gave the Vikings a four-point, last-minute lead, Benton tied the game on a 4-point play (three-point shot plus a free throw). Rippel scored again and was fouled. His free throw gave the Vikings a 3-point lead; a last second shot by the Bobcats bounced off the rim.