FRANKFORT – On Wednesday, the Otselic Valley Lady Vikings faced Utica Academy of Science in a non-league match-up. OV continue to succeed late in the contest, but efforts were not enough as they took a close 35-28 loss.

It seemed like a defensive battle in the first half with the Atoms taking a one-point 14-13 lead at halftime. Utica Academy would improve scoring chances in the third quarter, holding OV to four points. However, OV fired up in the final eight minutes with 12 points, but couldn’t hold the Atoms to make the full comeback.

Miranda Hackett, who averages 10.6 points per game, came up big in this one for the Vikings with a team-high of 13 points. She also had four rebounds and two steals. Riley Bartlett finished behind her with 10 points and had seven rebounds. Emma Rooker scored four points and Abriana White contributed with a single free-throw in the loss.

OV hosts Stockbridge Valley on Wednesday at 6 p.m. where they look to shift the outcome from the teams’ first meeting (36-18 L).

Scores by quarter:

OV 8 5 4 12—28

UT 6 8 11 10–35

OV: Miranda Hackett 13, Riley Bartlett 10, Emma Rooker 4, Abriana White 1.

UT: Surayyah Hakim-Monterio 10, Jada Morris 5, Leila Colon 5, Lejia Kendric 5, Zaria Spratt 3, Terrea Jones 2.

Three-pointers: OV 2 (Hackett); UT 3 (Hakim-Monterio, Kendic, Spratt).