Cunitz Hot Shooting not Enough to Beat Northwestern

ORAGNE CITY, Iowa – The Viterbo University Men's Basketball team fell to Northwestern University (Iowa) 100-77 the Northwestern's Pizza Ranch Classic on Saturday evening. The V-Hawks drop to 3-2 while the Red Raiders improve to 3-1.

Robert Cunitz started off the game strong, scoring Viterbo's first seven pints on a three, assisted by Alex King, a layup, and a pair of free throws. He then set up Jack Monis for a jumper, who scored the next six points for the V-Hawks. After his layup, also assisted by King, at 15:20, Viterbo trailed 13-16, but Northwestern would build in that lead to 31-13 until Ben Olson's jump shot at 11:39 ended the run. Olson went on a 7-0 on his own, combined with a Dakota Mannel-assisted three from Cunitz coled the gap to 42-47 at :52, but the Raiders took a 53-42 lead into halftime.

Cunitz led Viterbo with 18 first half points , while Olson added 11 and two rebounds. Kaleb Booth put up 18 for the Raiders.

Cunitz score five quick points to kick off the second half, but an 8-0 Northwestern run kept the V-Hawks from mounting a comeback. Monis put in a layup, and Olson's free throws at the 9:58 mark brought the score to 77-60, but the Raiders conitunued to pull away. Garrett Locy hit back-to-back threes around the 1-minute mark, but Ethan Klomptien responded with a late three to hit thripel to reach triple digits.

Northwestern outshot Viterbo 52.9%-43.9%, including 50%-45.5% from three. They also won the turnover battle 13-8, and had more second chance pints, 28-18.

Cunitz led all scorers with 23 points on 5-9 shooting from three. Monis added 16 and six boards, while Olson had 16 and six rebounds as well.

Booth led Northwestern with 21 points, shooting 5-6 from three, and dished 12 assists, and Craig Sterk added 20 off the bench.

Viterbo returns to action on November 15 at Clarke University (Iowa).