A pair of early runs by the Missouri Valley women lifted the Vikings to a comfortable 83-57 victory over Park on Wednesday, Feb. 19 in Parkville, while the men’s squad ran out of momentum and fell to the Pirates 85-67.

The women’s game started with the Vikings claiming the first eight points, but then nearly losing the lead before going on another eight-point run to end the opening frame 17-9. The Vikings then scored the first ten points in the second quarter, en route to a 20-point halftime lead, then cruised through the second half to the 26-point victory. Five Vikings were in double figures, led by D’Ajha Horton’s 18 points and 13 rebounds. Ylenia Exposito added 17 points and Gia Moore tallied 16. Missouri Valley shot over 51 percent from the floor, including 10 out of 19 on three-point baskets, while causing 19 Park turnovers. The Viking women advance to 21-6 on the year, including a 17-6 mark in the Heart.

The Missouri Valley men fell behind early but were able to claim the lead halfway through the first half with a Keenan Jones three-pointer. However, Park took advantage of a pair of Viking fouls to take a four-point lead into the locker room at half. Valley got within two early in the second half, but Park incrementally pulled away, as Valley only made 39 percent of their shots and had just 18 free throw attempts, converting 11. Jarrius Burnett led the Vikings with 19 points, with Cawhan Smith adding 18 and Geovanni Floyd claiming 11. Two Park players each had more than 20 points, as Jaden Robinson led the game with 28 points and Jasigha Barnes tossed in 22. The Viking men are now 11-16 for the year, with a 10-13 record in the Heart.

Both teams welcome Culver-Stockton for Senior Day on Saturday, with the women’s game tipping off at 2 p.m., followed by the men at 4 p.m.