La Grande’s Kayle Collman attempts to drive the baseline as Vale’s Bella Johnson defends during the Vikings' 44-20 win on Dec. 15, 2023.

VALE — La Grande had its their six game winning streak come to an end along with its lowest point total of the season as a trip to 3A Vale saw the Vikings take a 44-20 victory on Friday, Dec. 15 in nonleague action.

La Grande struggled the entire evening shooting the ball starting from the tipoff. Vale started the game on a 9-0 run with the Tigers not placing a point on the board until the 2 minute, 53 second mark left in the quarter when Rowan Evans sank a single free throw. Four of the six points scored in the first quarter for La Grande came from the free-throw line.

The shooting percentage did not improve in the second quarter for either team. The Vikings only held a slim 16-11 margin at the half.

The visiting fans for La Grande making the trip to the Vale continued to see balls roll around the rim only to fall off the basket as Vale led 28-17 heading into the final eight minutes. The final quarter saw the Tigers only managing three points.

“We could not throw a ball in the ocean tonight,” La Grande head coach Brian Wright said. “Vale is a good team and we did manage to not give them any threes in the first half. We do get another chance at them in our gym.”

Maezie Wilcox and Evans finished the game each with seven points to lead La Grande.

The Tigers (6-2 overall) return to the home gym on Dec. 20 to host undefeated 5A Ridgeview (4-0 overall) with game time set for 6:30 p.m. In the official 4A state rankings, the loss to Vale only dropped the Tigers one spot, down to sixth currently.