The Missouri Valley Vikings came away from Olathe empty-handed, as MidAmerica Nazarene dealt the women’s team a 76-67 loss Wednesday, Feb. 5, followed by a decisive 82-61 loss for the men’s squad.

The Valley women had posted an early lead with baskets in the first minute from Ricarda Schott, en route to a 20-17 scoreline after one. However, the 11th-ranked Pioneers picked up the pace, eventually taking a 36-29 lead into the locker room, and widening the gap in the third quarter, resulting in the 76-67 final score. Schott finished the night leading the Vikings with 19 points, while D’Ajha Horton added a career-high 18 points. Despite having a 41-38 advantage in rebounds, the Vikings could not overcome MNU’s hot shooting in the second half, as well as the Pioneers’ 43-36 scoring advantage in the paint. The Viking women fall to 18-5 overall, 14-5 in the conference, while MidAmerica Nazarene remain undefeated in Heart of America play with an overall record of 22-2.

Afterward, the Viking men fell behind early and trailed throughout their contest, as MoValley could only make 32 percent of their shots in their 82-61 loss. Cawhan Smith and Keenan Jones both scored 17 points to lead the Vikings, while Jarrius Burnett added 12. Jones and Burnett accounted for the Vikings’ five baskets from three-point range. Five Pioneers were in double-figures, as they shot 48 percent from the field and claimed 20 points off turnovers. The Viking men are now 10-13 overall, 9-10 in the conference.

The Vikings host Clarke on Saturday, with the women’s game at noon, followed by the men’s contest around 4 p.m.