Sports : Vikings start slow, but win again, 70-48

Chris Merchant drives toward the basket; the Vikings defeated Marion, 70-48.

Grant Sagan, fouled on this shot attempt, scored 32 to lead the Vikings.

Max Kearns leads the Viking fast break after a turnover.

Grant and Nolan Sagan go for the ball.

Max Kearns scored four and added 8 assists vs. the Indians.

The Vinton-Shellsburg basketball team struggled early against Marion; the Vikings went nearly four minutes before scoring and ended the first quarter down, 10-9, to the Indians.

The Vikings struggled for a couple minutes in the second quarter until two consecutive 3-point shots by Max Griffith turned a three-point deficit to a 19-16 lead on their home court. The Vikings never trailed again, and defeated Marion, 70-48.

Grant Sagan hit 12 of his 17 shots and led the Vikings with 32 points and 12 rebounds. Nolan Sagan scored 13 and Griffith added 10. The Vikings host Center Point-Urbana on Friday, during their Pink Night event to raise funds for fighting breast cancer. The Stormin Pointers have given the undefeated, top-ranked Vikings the toughest contest so far this season; the Vikings defeated them by two points in Center Point in December.

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