SOUTH OTSELIC –  The Otselic Valley Vikings girls’ basketball team hosted Sauquoit Valley on Monday, falling 47-30 against the tough class C opponent. It was another great effort for the Vikings, who have had their share of tight games thus far into the season. With plenty of games left to go, OV remain optimistic and continue to show improvement.

Sauquoit Valley was fierce on the boards early on and held the Vikings to single-digit scoring throughout the first three quarters. OV found their rhythm in the final eight minutes with their best 14 points on the night and were able to hold the Red Hawks to just two points. However, efforts throughout the game were limited to restrict the Vikings from a big comeback.

Miranda Hackett paved the way for OV with 17 points, knocking down one three-pointer and collecting nine rebounds and seven steals. The sophomore leads the team with averaging 10.3 points per game and has a team-high total of 55 steals and 53 rebounds.

Gracie Rooker finished with seven points with a three and a steal as Riley Bartlett scored four points, but was also an asset to rebounding efforts with eight.

OV (0-9) travels to Utica Academy of Science on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.

Scores by quarter:

SV 23 12 10 2–47

OV 4 8 4 14—30

SV: Alaina Weaver 26, Makayla Land 9, Julia Zegarelli 8, Allison Crandall 4.

OV: Miranda Hackett 17, Gracie Rooker 7, Riley Bartlett 4, Cameron Bartlett 2.

Three-pointers: SV 6 (Weaver); OV 2 (Hackett, Rooker).