Vikings down N-K in OT

  The Ventura boys dropped a conference match-up, but beat a non-conference team to move their record to 5-10 overall and 4-4 in the conference.
 NSKAR 44, Ventura 38
    It was a tale of two halves for the Ventura Vikings when they hosted NSKAR on Tuesday, Jan. 17.

    Ventura opened strong by jumping to a 7-0 lead.  By the end of the first quarter they had stretched the lead to 16-8.  The Vikings maintained their lead throughout the second quarter and a three-point shot by Jace Byers at the buzzer gave the Vikings a 27-18 half time advantage.
    The second half was not as pretty for the Vikings.  NSKAR made some adjustments at half time and outscored the Vikings 7-1 in to open the half.  Ventura’s shooting went cold and they were outscored 12-4 in the third quarter.  The Vikings held a one-point lead at the end of the third quarter, 31-30.
    The Eagles tied it up, 33-33, in the fourth.  With :30 remaining in the game, NSKAR gained a three point advantage, which they were able to build upon for the final 44-38 win.
    Joel Toppin and Byers led the team in scoring with 11 and 10 points respectively.
    Joel Watson led the team under the boards, hauling in seven rebounds.  Toppin and Byers each grabbed four.
    Toppin led the team in assists with four, while Watson dished out two.
 
Ventura 57, N-K 52 OT
    It was an exciting night of basketball when the Ventura Vikings visited the Northwood-Kensett Vikings on Thursday, Jan. 19, for a non-conference match-up.
    Ventura was playing strong defense and behind the hot hand of Joel Toppin, who connected on three three-point shots in the first quarter, the Vikings led 15-14 at the end of