After trailing by double digits, the 15th ranked Grayson Vikings mounted a furious comeback that fell just short in a 72-70 defeat to end their nine game winning streak on Thursday, Dec. 11. 
It was a back and forth contest throughout the early stages of the game. It was a challenge for both teams offense to get going early on. Western Oklahoma jumped out to an early 9-4 lead in the first quarter. Very quickly the Vikings cut the deficit with baskets from Niamh Chamberlain and Taniyah Davis. After Western split the free throws out of a timeout, the Vikings took the lead on a three by Gracie Burckhartzmeyer for an 11-10 lead. The Pioneers of Western Oklahoma closed the quarter by scoring six of the final nine points of the frame to take a 16-14 lead.
The Viking deficit swelled to double digits in the second quarter with Western Oklahoma opening the quarter on a 12-2 run to put Grayson in a 28-16 deficit. Lily Melton broke the scoring drought for Grayson with a contested jumper in the lane. After a Western Oklahoma basket, Melton answered right back with a three to cut the Pioneer lead to nine. The Vikings began to claw into the deficit and trailed by seven; 37-30 at the half.
The Vikings got an early basket as they worked to climb back into the game in the second half. Iv Jackson put Grayson on the board with a layup and a short time later, Melton connected on another three to pull the Vikings within four. The teams traded baskets with Western Oklahoma going for four straight points, while the Vikings responded with five straight points, pulling within three on a layup from Tay Biglow. A 6-2 run to end the quarter saw the Vikings trail 54-47 heading into the fourth quarter.
Susan Fahnbulleh answered a Western Oklahoma basket with a three of her own, Melton converted a three point play to bring the Vikings back within striking distance at 58-53. An 8-2 run by Western Oklahoma put the Vikings down by 11; 66-55 with 3:30 to play, but like they had done all game, they battled back. Jackson connected on a contested layup, but Western Oklahoma answered back with a three point play. The Vikings switched to a pressure defense, giving their opponents fits and leading to big baskets to cut into the double digit deficit. Melton and Madison Martin both hit from three and in the blink of an eye the Vikings trailed by seven. The defense continued to make stops, leading to offense on the other end. Burckhartzmeyer pulled the Vikings within four with under 40 seconds to play. A steal by Martin led to a Biglow layup to cap a 15-4 run and pull the Vikings within two with seven seconds to play, but a turnover gave Western Oklahoma the victory.
Melton led the way with a career high 25 points, shooting 5-8 from deep. Biglow had 10 points and led the team with three assists.
The Vikings will face NOC-Tonkawa on Saturday, Dec.13 in their final game before the break.