Monis' Double-Double not Enough to Top Cougars

CHICAGO, Ill. – The Viterbo University Men's Basketball game fell 63-81 to Saint Xavier University (Ill.) in the first game of a home-and-home series with the Cougars. The V-Hawks drop to 7-4 while Saint Xavier improves to 9-3.

The Cougars started the game up 0-5, until a free throw from Robert Cunitz put Viterbo on the board at 17:23, followed by Ben Olson's layup, steal, and assist to Cunitz over the next minute. Dakota Mannel would set up Cunitz for a three, and Cunitz would find Cole Crubel for a three of his own at 12:51, but SXU's Jaeden King hit a pair of threes as well to stay up 14-18. Alex King blocked a shot, leading to his own three-pointer, followed by a four-minute scoring drought by both teams. Cunitz would convert an and-one with 3:51 left in the half, and Jack Monis would score five straight for the V-Hawks in the closing minutes. Crubel ended the period with a three, cutting the Cougar lead to 32-36 going into the break.

Cunitz led the V-Hawks with 15 points and four rebounds, while Mannel added five boards, three assists, and a steal. J. King led all players with 19 first-half points.

Mannel's assists to Cunitz and Olson helped start Viterbo's scoring in the second half, and Cunitz's layup at 15:23 brought the score to 40-44. J. King and Cedric Johnson paced a run for the Cougars that gave them a 10-point lead, 52-42 at 13:28, and a three-minute scoring drought for the V-Hawks extended that lead to 44-59. Olson got Viterbo back on the board at 10:08, but the V-Hawk offense would manage only five points over the six minutes. Charlie Hansen hit a three off the bench, as did Garrett Locy, bringing the final score to 63-81.

SXU outshot Viterbo 48.6%-35.6, including 38%-23% from three. Viterbo won the rebounding battle 46-31, but the V-Hawks had over twice as many turnovers, 21-10.

Cunitz had a team-high 23 points, Monis had a 12-point, 11-rebound double-double, and Mannel had a game-high eight assists to go with seven rebounds. J. King had a game-high 32 points, while Johnson had 12 points and six boards.

Viterbo will look to redeem the loss as they host Saint Xavier on Wednesday, December 14 at 7 PM.