Daniel Carr, a first-team All-CCIW selection last season, picked up where he left off. The junior from Colorado posted another double-double in leading the Vikings with 19 points and 14 rebounds.

Matt Hawkins, one of those freshman starters, added 14 points on 5-of-7 shooting from the field and was perfect on four free-throw attempts. Junior Nate Ortiz added 10 points off the bench. Starting point guard Luke Johnson, a senior, added eight points, three assists and two rebounds.

Along with Hawkins, the Vikings started newcomers Chase Larsen (two points, two rebounds) and Nick Giliberto (six points, one rebound in 31 minutes). The other three first-years to play were Anthony Cooper (two points), Mikey Hamilton (three points, two rebounds) and Luke Seiffert (no points, two assists in limited late minutes).

Jessee liked what he saw out of most of the youngsters.

“It’s encouraging, for sure,” said Jessee of the play of all of his freshmen. “I told them that’s a CCIW-quality team and welcome to college and big-boy basketball. They have a taste of it now.”

He said he was impressed with the way Hawkins stepped up his game during the contest.

“It’s going to be a process,” said Jessee. “The guys have a great attitude and we’re going to keep coaching them and getting better every day. … We’re a young and inexperienced team, but we’re going to keep fighting and working.”