A big first half offensively, combined with some clutch shooting particularly from the foul line down the stretch, helped the Grayson Vikings upset ninth ranked Connors State at Viking Gym on Saturday, Nov. 22. The Vikings returned home for the first time in a week.
Dupree Fletcher Jr was big in the first half, connecting on a contested three to jumpstart an 8-1 run for the Vikings. Fletcher Jr had six points by himself, and Caleb Alcineus capped the run with a long jumper from just inside the three point line to give the Vikings their largest lead at the time at 24-17. Later in the half, Fletcher Jr hit his defender with a crossover, drove into the lane and avoided the block for an eight point Viking lead. After Connors State split a pair of free throws, Farvens Ulysse hit his defender with a pump fake and banked in a jumper from the paint to help the Vikings take a 32-23 lead into the locker room.
The large lead built by Grayson helped withstand some early firepower by Connors State to open the second half. Fletcher Jr continued his hot shooting with a pull up step back jumper from the wing for a 10 point lead, their largest of the game.
Lots of fouls were called in the second half, and both teams went into the bonus, and eventually the double bonus early.
A pair of free throws by Caleb Alcineus extended the lead to 11 points, before Connors State took the lead after going on a 18-4 run to take a 52-49 lead with 8:33 to play. Fletcher Jr ended the run with a pair of free throws to bring the Vikings within one. Connors State maintained their slim lead, never allowing the Vikings to retake the lead. Davion Hampton tied the game at 54, after he was fouled and split his free throws with 6:41 left in the second half. Neither team scored for a minute, when Connors State broke the tie with a jumper, and a free throw for the three point play. The Viking scoring drought reached 1:54 when Judah Peña sank a pair of free throws to bring the Vikings within one. Alcineus gave the Vikings the lead with 4:11 to play with a pair of free throws. With the Vikings field goal drought, they made the most of their opportunities at the free throw line in this one. Fletcher Jr broke the nearly seven minute field goal drought with a baseline jumper to bring the Vikings back within one point; 61-60. After a defensive stop, Jordan Williams split his free throws to tie the game at 61. A foul defensively, sent Connors State to the free throw line, where they went 1-2. Julian Greer gave the Vikings their first lead since the early moments of the second half with a jumper from the wing. After Connors regained the lead again, Greer hit a clutch three to beat the shot clock to put the Vikings back up for good at 66-64 with 50 seconds left. Ulysse and Williams hit clutch free throws to help Grayson end the game on a 6-0 run and give them the big win at home.
Greer and Fletcher Jr each had 16 points to lead the Vikings in scoring. Greer and Ulysse led the team in rebounds with five, while Fletcher Jr dished out five assists. 
The Vikings hit the road on Monday, Nov. 24 as they battle Paris. Tip-off is set for 5pm.