Men's Basketball season ends in NSAA Championship game

WATERTOWN, S.D. – The Viterbo Men's Basketball team had their season come to a close on Sunday evening after a gut-wrenching loss in the North Star Athletic Association (NSAA) Championship game. The V-Hawks fell to their regular-season champion counterparts, Bellevue University, 69-65. 

The V-Hawks struck first after a Nolan Martin three-pointer put them ahead in their first possession. The Bruins answered with two consecutive field goals, putting them ahead 5-3, a lead they would not surrender for the remainder of the game. Viterbo pulled within two points after a Nicholas Malovrh bucket made it 23-21 with 2:41 remaining in the first half. However, Bellevue closed out the half with a 7-1 run to stretch their lead to 30-22 heading into the locker room.

The Bruins picked up half number two right where they left off, building an 11-point lead in the first 2:27 of the half. Much like their NSAA Semifinal game, the V-Hawks were able to chip away at the lead and eventually tied the game at 42 after a pair of free throws from Brady Polk. The V-Hawks remained within striking distance for the rest of the game. Down by four with 1:48 remaining, Polk was fouled while attempting a three and converted all three free-throws to make it a one-point game, 63-62. The Bruins took the ball back and after running the shot clock down, hit a big three-pointer to go up by four points with 1:17 left. After trading possessions, Polk answered with a three of his own to bring the game back within one with 17 seconds remaining. Unfortunately for the V-Hawks, Bellevue was solid from the free-throw line down the stretch and converted three of their final four shots from the charity stripe to seal the win, 69-65. 

Viterbo shot 43.4% from the field, 45.5% from behind the arc, and 58.3% from the free-throw line. Polk led the V-Hawks with 17 points, followed by Robert Cunitz with 11 and Nolan Martin with 10. For the V-Hawks, the loss ends their historic season after winning their first ever NSAA regular-season title, finishing 17-13 on the season and 9-5 in NSAA play. Congratulations to our Viterbo Men's Basketball team on a great season!