A late surge by the Dragons of Paris was enough as the Viking comeback fell just short in a 73-65 defeat on Monday, Nov. 24.
It was a back and forth close contest throughout the game. The Viking offense was scoreless for the first minute, until Dupree Fletcher Jr drove the lane and finished the contested layup just ahead of a shot clock violation. Paris opened the game on a 6-2 run, but a three from Caleb Alcineus ended the scoring run and brought the Vikings within one with 16:58 remaining in the first half.
Grayson stayed within striking distance throughout the half, always having an answer for a Paris basket. The Vikings took their first lead of the game when Farvens Ulysse drove to the basket, made the contested layup, drew the foul and sank the free throw for a 12-10 lead with 13:44 remaining in the first half.
Ulysee gave the the Viking their largest lead of the game at four points with a contested layup with 9:21 to play. Davion Hampton matched their largest lead with a pair of free throws with a little over seven minutes to play.
Paris took ta six point lead late in the first half, but the Vikings battled back, cutting the deficit to two points on a corner three by Julian Greer. A late three by Paris put the Vikings in a five point hole at the half.
In the opening minutes of the second half, Fletcher Jr drove for a contested layup in the opening minute to cut it to three, but the Dragons quickly grew their lead to six points. The Viking offense continued to battle back, getting a basket from Alcineus a layup from Greer and they drew within three points. A 6-0 run by the Dragons was ended by a driving layup from Davion Hampton jump started a 13-3 run capped off by a Fletcher Jr driving layup. He had six points by himself during the run, converting earlier a four point play, after getting fouled on a made three point attempt.
A few possessions later, with the Vikings in the bonus just past the midway point, Hampton split a pair of free throws, and after a defensive stop, Judah Peña completed a three point play of his own to give the Vikings their first lead of the game with 7:17 remaining in the game.
Paris took control of the game with a 12-0 run to put the Vikings in a double digit deficit; down 64-53 with 3:11 to play. The Vikings kept battling, scoring 12 points over the final three minutes and outsourcing Paris 12-9 in that stretch, but the comeback fell short.
Fletcher Jr led the way in scoring with 17 points, while Ulysse added 13 off the bench. Alcineus and Hampton each contributed eight points. 

The Vikings return home for a pair of games; beginning Friday, Nov. 28 as they welcome sixth ranked Midland to Viking Gym, in a Region V showdown. Tip-off is set for 4pm.