Sports : Free throws, Dyson three-pointers lift Vikings past Mustangs

Brody Beatty scored on this fast break layup after a pass from Gunner Tranel.

Grant Sagan was fouled on this shot, but made two free throws.

The Mustangs gave the Vikings early headaches by blocking several shots.

Gunner Tranel pressures a Mustang on defense.

Gunner Tranel muscles past three Mustangs for a layup.

Logan Williams was fouled on this shot.

Logan Williams looks to pass as Brody Beatty comes through the lane.

Mustang senior Nick Zieser challenges Logan Williams.

Gunner Tranel prepares to inbound the ball to a teammate.

Vinton Shellsburg left Independence with a win Friday night, and headed home for more tough games next week.

The Vikings ended a week of road games with a 58-46 win at Independence.

The Mustangs have struggled this season, but they gave the Vikings all they could handle. The game was tied at 11 after the first quarter. The Vikings led by only six at the half, 27-21.

“The difference was our run in the third quarter,” said Coach Joe Johnson.

The Vikings scored the first seven points of the second half, and soon built a 40-23 lead.

But the Mustangs regrouped and cut that lead to 41-32 by the end of the third quarter. With six minutes in the game, the lead was down to 7, 41-34.

But Jake Dyson, who had hit two threes early in the third quarter, hit two more late in the game, his last one giving the Vikings a 50-35 lead with just over three minutes left.

Dyson and Logan Williams led the Vikings with 13 points each. Gunner Tranel and Brody Beatty each had 10, John Lippmann added 7, and Grant Sagan, 5.

Another difference was the free throw line; the Vikings scored 16 from the line, the Mustangs, 5.

The Vikings play Clear Creek-Amana at home on Tuesday, and then host Marion next Friday.

“Those guys never gave u,” Johnson said of the Mustangs. They played us hard and were well-coached. We are lucky to get out of her with a win. And next week, it does not get any easier.”