Vikings Take Down V-Hawks

VALLEY CITY, ND – The Viterbo University Women's Basketball team lost to Valley City State University (ND) in a NSAA matchup on Friday night, 86-70. The V-Hawks fall to 9-11 (4-5 NSAA) on the year, while the Vikings improve to 11-12 (5-4 NSAA).

Emily McCurdy scored the first eight points for the V-Hawks, including an and-one and a three, while triples form Marley Hughes and Emma Wagner put Viterbo up 14-12. Nicole Johnson added a three, assisted by Macy Stellner, and McCurdy ended the quarter with a final jumper, Viterbo trailing 23-25.

Valley City scored the first 13 points of the second period until Johnson ended the run with an and-one, followed by an and-one by Madison Hugdahl. Megan Miedema set up McCurdy for a basket and Hugdahl found a rhythm, scoring four of the next five baskets for Viterbo, as the trailed 42-49 going into halftime.

Wagner hit two threes to start the third, and along with two layups from Johnson, closed the score to 52-53. However, Valley City used a huge run to end the quarter to lead 67-53 going into the final period.

Hugdahl and McCurdy led the offense early in the fourth quarter, but VCSU continued to extend their lead. Hughes scored off a Johnson assist, and Nora Tucker nailed a pair of late threes, but McCurdy's and-one would be the final points for Viterbo, bringing the final to 86-70.

McCurdy led the V-Hawks with 23 points and nine rebounds, while Hugdahl added 16 points and six boards off the bench. Ashlyn Diemert had a game-high 37 points for the Vikings.

VCSU shot 51.7% from the floor, including 36.8% from three to 39.1%, 22.9% 3-pt, for the V-Hawks. The Vikings also grabbed more rebounds, 45-32.

Viterbo returns to action on Saturday, February 10 at Dickinson State University (ND).