Cunitz Buzzer Beater gives Viterbo Conference Opener Win

LA CROSSE, Wis. - The Viterbo University Men's Basketball team held their conference opener game on Saturday vs. Waldorf University. The V-Hawks defeated the Warriors 77-74 with a buzzer beater by Robert Cunitz. Viterbo advances to 6-3 overall and 1-0 in conference while Waldorf drops to 3-7 overall and 0-1 in league play.

Vitergo got a head start in the first half up 11-4 with a steal and layup by Ben Olsen. Waldorf answered back tieing 18-18 with a three-pointer by Jevon Taylor at the 10:39 mark. Viterbo jumped back in the lead 30-22 with a steal and layup by Jack Monis. A three-pointer by Justin Wiggnins helped Waldorf close the gap 33-31 before tieing the game 34-34 with 1:50 left in the half. A monis layup helped put Viterbo back in the lead but a three-point jumper by Waldorf's Noah Miller tied the game 37-37 to end the half.

The teams traded points to start the second half tieing up at the 15:56 mark 44-44. Waldorf quickly got ahead 44-50 with three-point shots by Miller and Khyle Washington. Viterbo closed the gap at the 12:53 mark with a Monis layup, 46-52. Zack Meyer helped the Warriors maintain their lead with a three-pointer and a score of 51-57. The V-Hawks managed to close the gap and regain their lead 58-57 with an Alex King layup and 8:07 left in the game. Tyree'on Johnson landed a free throw for the Warriors to tie the game 61-61. The teams traded points tieing again 67-67 at the 4:16 mark. The V-Hawks took the lead and a free throw by Dakota Mannel put Viterbo up 73-69. It wasn't long before Waldorf came back and took the lead 74-73 with a three-pointer by Washington. Mannel landed a free throw to tie the game 74-74 with 31 seconds left in the game. A turnover by the Warriors allowed Viterbo to get the ball back with four seconds left in the game. A pass by Mannel to Cunitz led to a three-point buzzer beater to end the game 77-74. 

Viterbo outshot the Warriors from the field 50.0%-49.1%. Waldorf led from the three 45.7%-22.2% and from the free throw line 66.7%-65.4%. 

Monis led the V-Hawks with 22 points, 4 steals, and 9 rebounds. Olson added 17 points and 6 rebounds. Cunitz recorded 16 points. Mannel contributed 6 assists for the night.

Washington led the Warriors with 20 points and 6 assists. Meyer added 13 points followed by Wiggins and Miller with 11. Johnson recorded 10 points, 6 blocks, and 9 rebounds.

The V-Hawks will take on UW-River Falls at home on Wednesday, December 7 at 7:00 PM CST.