The Sevastopol Pioneers scored 28 of the game's final 37 points Monday to walk out of its gym with not just the 65-49 win over Gibraltar, but $13,000 for the family of eight-year-old Violet Tanck.

 

The two teams traded buckets early in the game following the emotional tribute to Tanck, who is battling a rare form of Ewing sarcoma and has family members on the boys and girls basketball teams. The Pioneers had four players score at least five points in the half led by Logan Schuh, Bo Tanck, and Andrew Wiesner. The Vikings were able to keep things close thanks to three-pointers from Marco Jauregui, Kayin Jackson, and Aaron Brey.

 

 

A flagrant foul call against Wyatt Bultman turned the momentum towards the Pioneers as Schuh hit both free throws and the team hit a shot on the ensuing possession to stretch their lead from two to a 31-25 advantage at the break.

 

 

The Vikings came out hot in the second half, flipping the game from a eight-point deficit to a 40-37 lead with over 11 minutes to go in the game. The Pioneers' defense clamped down after that, allowing just nine points the rest of the way while Wiesner, Schuh, and Tanck continue pour in points.

 

 

Wiesner, Tanck, and Schuh all scored 14 points to pace the Pioneers while Jackson scored a game-high 19 points to lead the Vikings along with 11 points from Aaron Brey.

 

 

The Pioneers  return to action on Thursday with a home date against Kewaunee.

 

 

The Vikings will try to break their skid again on Thursday when they visit Brussels to face Southern Door.