V-Hawks lose hard fought Battle to the Tigers
| Final | 1 | 2 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Dakota Wesleyan (SD) | 38 | 40 | 78 |
|
Viterbo | 35 | 40 | 75 |
LA CROSSE, Wis. - The Viterbo University Men's Basketball team ended 2022 hosting the Dakota Wesleyan Tigers on Friday. Viterbo fell to the Tigers 75-78 bringing their record to 7-7 and moving Dakota Wesleyan to 7-7.
Dakota Wesleyan took the lead to start the first half 15-6 with a pair of free throws and three-point jumper by Kallan Herman. A layup by Cole Crubel helped the V-Hawks get within two points of the Tigers, but Dakota Wesleyan maintained their lead 23-15 with 9:15 left in the half. The teams traded points before Viterbo's Luke Spink put up a layup at the 7:13 mark forcing a Tiger timeout with a score of 23-26. Viterbo continued to fight hard and a Colin Adams layup gave the V-Hawks their first lead of the game 32-31 with 4:17 left in the half. Dakota Wesleyan regained their lead with a layup by Blaze Lubbers ending the half 35-38.
Lubbers landed a three-point jumper to start the second half 41-35. Dakota Wesleyan quickley extended their lead adding a three more three-pointers with the score at 52-45. The teams traded points with Viterbo's Robert Cunitz contributing a three-pointer for the V-Hawks at 51-58. The Tigers maintained their lead 58-69 with a layup by Lubbers with six minutes left in the game. The V-Hawks were able to close the gap with a pair of layups and jumper by Jack Monis bringing the score to 67-69 at the 3:45 mark. A dunk by Ben Olson tied the game 69-69 followed by a V-Hawk timout. The Tigers reclaimed their lead 71-76 with a three-pointer by Jakob Dobney and 39 seconds left in the game. Dakota Mannel put up a layup followed by three free-throws tightening the score 75-76 with six seconds to go. Herman put up game-ending free throws for the Tigers with a final score of 75-78.
Although the V-Hawks took a loss they managed to outshoot the Tigers from the field (49.1%-43.1%).
Mannel led the V-Hawks with 15 points and added 3 rebounds. Olson recorded 14 points and 5 rebounds. Cunitz added 11 points, 3 assists, and 6 rebounds. Monis contributed 11 points and 2 steals.
Herman led the Tigers with 25 points followed by Lubbers with 21 points and 6 rebounds. Dobney recorded 15 points and 6 rebounds.
The V-Hawks will ring in the new year hosting Presentation on Friday, January 6 at 7:30 PM CST.