Men's Basketball moves on to NSAA Championship, Fredrickson huge down the stretch

WATERTOWN, S.D. - The Viterbo University Men's Basketball team faced Dakota State University in the North Star Athletic Association (NSAA) Semifinal game on Saturday night. The V-Hawks defeated the Trojans, 75-73. 

Viterbo jumped out to an early 5-0 lead after a three-pointer by Nicholas Malovrh and a two-point field goal from Nolan Martin. However, the Trojans quickly regained the lead to make the game very back-and-forth in the first ten minutes. The Trojans extended their lead to six with eight minutes remaining in the first half. A Dakota Mannel and-one cut the Trojan lead in half and mustered up some momentum for Viterbo but Dakota State pushed their lead to 15. The V-Hawks went into the locker room trailing by 12 after a last-second field goal. 

With five minutes remaining in the game, Malovrh converted a pair of field goals to cut the Trojan lead. Noah Fredrickson sank a three to put the V-Hawks within one point. Moments later, Fredrickson sank another three to tie the game at 72. Fredrickson was then fouled to send him to the free-throw line with less than a minute remaining in the game. He sank both of his free throws to put the V-Hawks up by one. He was fouled again and converted one of his two free throws to extend the Viterbo lead to one with 20 seconds left. 

Offensively, Fredrickson led the way with 23 points and four assists. He made up 23 of Viterbo's 30 total bench points on the night. Jack Monis finished with 18 points and 12 rebounds for a double-double. As a team, Viterbo out-rebounded Dakota State 40-37. 

The V-Hawks will resume action tomorrow in the NSAA Championship. The game will take place at 4:00 p.m. CST at the Civic Arena in Watertown, S.D. The V-Hawks will play the winner of the Bellevue vs. Valley City State game. Follow the action on viterboathletics.com or by following us on social media.