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The Vikings used a strong defensive effort to propel them to a nice victory in a tough road environment and clinch at least a share of their record seventh straight Wisconsin Little Ten Conference title by downing Slinger 52-48.

The Owls came out hot on their Senior Night, knocking down 3 three-pointers in the first 3 minutes of the game to take an early 11-2 lead. But the Vikings clawed back with a sterling defensive effort. Wisco held Slinger scoreless for nearly 8 straight minutes spanning the end of the first quarter and most of the second. Over the same time, the Vikings ran off 15 points of their own to take the lead. Chris Golden scored 8 of his team-high 21 points during that stretch as Wisco took control of the game. Though the Owls would get a basket just before halftime to cut the lead to 21-16, the Vikings would never trail again.

The Owls hung tough in the second half, as the Vikings were not able to extend their lead any further than 7 points over the final two quarters of the game. In the fourth quarter, Slinger began to get to the free throw line and cut the Viking lead to 3 on several occasions. But Wisco had an answer every time. Zach Ginster scored inside off a pass from Larry Moore to give the Vikings a 44-39 lead with 3 minutes remaining. The Owls would score on their next two trips down the floor, but so would the Vikings. Chris Golden answered the first time, and Deiondre Cunningham's layup off a CJ Polk pass put Wisco up 48-43. Emilio Lopez and CJ Polk pushed the Viking lead to 50-45 with free throws in the final minute. The Owls rattled in a three-pointer with 10 seconds left to cut the lead to 50-48 and called time out to set up their press. But Deiondre Cunningham broke deep and was all alone to receive Chris Golden's inbounds pass and lay it in to seal the victory for the Vikings.

Golden led the team with 21 points. He also added 3 assists. Cunningham scored 17 points on 8-10 shooting from the field. CJ Polk came off the bench to score 7 points and hand out 4 assists, and Emilio Lopez led the way on the boards with 4 rebounds. Wisco shot 50% from the floor and, on a night when the pace of the game limited the number of possessions, forced Slinger into 16 costly turnovers.

The win gives the Vikings at least a tie for their seventh straight Wisconsin Little Ten Conference championship. The Vikings will celebrate Senior Night and attempt to clinch the title outright (like the other six) when they host Oconomowoc on Thursday, February 23. Game time is 7:30 PM.