A couple of late baskets and free throws from Paris sent the Vikings to a narrow 72-70 defeat on Friday, Nov. 14. The Vikings had a chance to win it, but Dupree Fletcher Jr's three pointer just missed. 
Neither team could grab a sizeable lead early, as both teams answered each other. Judah Peña continued his strong three point shooting with a long range bucket from the wing for an early 13-12 lead, and moments later answered the call with another three to tie the game at 16. Paris took control late in the half, closing the half by scoring six of the final eight points, as the Vikings faced a double digit deficit; 37-26 at the half.
The Vikings came out with the edge in the second half; Mykel Valrie connected on a floater to cut the deficit to six points, and Peña hit on another from long range to bring the Vikings within five points. The Vikings stayed within five points, before a 6-0 run capped off by a three from Julian Greer put them ahead 46-45. After a Paris score, Caleb Alcineus hit a three, and later a contested layup for a 53-50 lead. It remained a single possession game, until a 7-1 Paris run gave them a 66-61 lead. Fletcher Jr ended the run, and heated up offensively with an up and under layup to bring Grayson within three points. A few minutes later, he converted a three point play to cut the deficit two with 1:41 to play. He kept the Vikings within three with a three point basket of his own with under a minute to play. Late in the game with six seconds to play, Jordan Williams stole the inbounds and converted the layup to pull within one.
With the clock not on their side, the Viking defense intentionally fouled Paris forcing them to make free throws. They made the first one, intentionally missing the second one to force the clock to run, and Fletcher Jr's game winner just missed off the rim.
Fletcher Jr led the offense with 19 points, Peña had 16 and Alcineus had another strong game with 10 points off the bench. 
The Vikings will close out their homestand on Saturday, Nov. 15 against Seminole State College. Tip-off is set for 4pm.