Five Score in Double Digits as V-Hawks Win Season Opener

MILWAUKEE, Wis. – The Viterbo University Men's Basketball team earned a 78-70 road win at Cardinal Stritch in their 2022-23 season opener on Saturday afternoon. The V-Hawks improve to 1-0 while the Wolves drop to 0-1.

Ben Olson's offensive rebound tip-in would be the first points of the season for V-Hawks. Tevin Dillon's free throws gave the Wolves a 5 point lead at the 12:03 mark, but Cole Crubel answered Viterbo's first three-pointer of the year. Alex King tied the game 14-14 at 9:22, and gave the V-Hawks a 17-16 lead with a three at 8:41. Jack Monis' jump shot at 6:41 started a 10-0 V-Hawk run ended by Gregory Wells' three at 3:44. Monis scored nine of Viterbo's final 10 points of the half, and the V-Hawks took a 37-34 lead into the break.

Viterbo opened the second half with a pair of free throws from Dakota Mannel. Robert Cunitz and Crubel each hit threes to help put the V-Hawks up 51-41at 14:12, and Crubel hit threes on consecutive possessions, both assisted by Luke Spink, to extend that lead to 61-47 at 10:19. A late 7-0 run by the Wolves made it a four-point game with 1:53 left, but teams would trade empty possessions until Cardinal Stritch was forced to foul late. Mannel and Alex King hit their free throws to put the game away 78-70.

Cardinal Stritch narrowly outshot Viterbo 45.5%-43.9%, but the V-Hawks had the advantage from three 38.9%-36.1, and in the rebounding column 40-27. Viterbo also forced 19 turnovers with led to 25 points.

Monis led the V-Hawks with 15 points and eight rebounds, while King (14), Crubel (12), Mannel (10), and Olson (10) each reached double-digits as well. Mannel also led all players with five assists and Olson added three steals.

Stefan Popovic posted a game-high 21 points, and Wells had eight rebounds and three steals.

The V-Hawks return to action on Wednesday, November 2 at Judson University (Ill.)