Kelsey Ackerman | Sports Co-Editor
On Saturday, Feb. 13, both Beaver basketball teams hosted the Loras College Duhawks in their annual “Senior Day” and Pink-Out games. The senior players and their parents were honored before each game. There was also the annual “Chuck-a-duck” contest at half-time of both games with pink ducks to support breast cancer research.
The women’s team headed into the game with the mindset that they were going to roll over the Duhawks and secure their second-place spot in the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC).
“It was very surreal going into this game that it was my last home game as a Beaver, basketball has been such a big part of my life since I can remember, and I can’t believe that it is almost all over,” senior guard Lacey Vokt said.
The Beavers came out hot offensively in the first quarter, having four three-point shots fall. The team headed into the second quarter with a 22-21 lead over the Duhawks.
The second quarter led to an offensive slow down on the Beaver end, and a halftime score of 34-40.
The Beavers rallied back from an 11-point deficit in the final minutes of regulation to come within two, but a last second three-point attempt by senior Becca Pennington fell short.
Buena Vista was limited to 8-of-24 from downtown, with four of those baskets coming from Pennington. Senior center Jasmyn Flynn-Graves scored a game high of 24 points.
The Duhawks took the win 71-68 leaving the Beavers 14-9 overall (8-4 IIAC), and tied with the Duhawks for second in the conference.
This was the final regular season home game for 5 beaver seniors: guards Lexi Fisher, Pennington, and Vokt; forward Alicia Savoy; and center Flynn-Graves.
“I am going to miss my teammates the most. We are such a close team, and every single one of those girls is family to me,” Flynn-Graves said when she was asked what she would miss most about BVU basketball.
“I will miss their true belief in each other. They have worked hard every year and I am so happy their hard work has paid off for them this season,” head coach Janet Berry said.
The Beaver women will finish off the regular season with road games at Simpson on Wednesday, Feb 17 and at Coe on Saturday, Feb 20.
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On the Men’s side of things, the team knew this was a crucial game to get them back into the top of the conference runnings.
“I just really wanted to see our team play well, have fun, and get the win,” senior guard Kyler Huisman said.
The teams went back and fourth throughout the whole game, and a late surge by the Duhawks gave the Beavers some pressure.
Junior center Kennedy Drey brought the Beavers to a lead at 71-70 with just over a minute to play. The game came down to free-throws, and the Duhawks took the final three points to win 73-71.
Drey finished with a team high 15 points and 10 rebounds, for his third double-double in the past four games. Senior guard Nick Clark added 13 points before fouling out with five minutes left in the game.
The Beavers now come to 9-14 overall (4-8 IIAC) and a three-way tie for sixth with Luther and Coe.
With this being the final home game for five seniors: guards Bobby Ivey, Huisman, Clark, Sam Lipps, and forward Jarod Juhl; the players have memories and many things they will miss about BVU basketball.
“My favorite memory by far is winning at Dubuque last year to win the conference,” Clark said.
“I will miss playing the greatest game in the world with some of the greatest people in the world, from my teammates to my coaches,” Ivey said.
“Our trips to New York City and Tampa Bay the past two years are great memories that I will never forget,” Huisman said.
These players aren’t the only people that are going to miss eachother. Head coach, Brain Van Haaften has nothing but praises for the five seniors he will lose this year.
“I am going to miss the togetherness we have all had with this group. It is a close knit circle of guys that have been a joy to be around as a coach. I love all those guys,” Van Haaften said.
The Beaver men will also finish off the regular season with road games at Simpson on Wednesday, Feb 17 and at Coe on Saturday, Feb 20.
Photo by Kyle Wiebers
