V-Hawks Outlast Vikings on the Road

VALLEY CITY, N.D. – The Viterbo University Men's Basketball team defeated Valley City State University (N.D.) in a North Star Athletic Association (NSAA) bout Friday night, 89-82. The V-Hawks improve to 9-8 (3-1 NSAA), while the Vikings drop to 8-10 (1-3 NSAA).

The Vikings would jump out to a 1-7 lead following a Cayden Rickard three, but Robert Cunitz set up Colin Adams, then scored 10 straight for Viterbo to give them the 13-11 advantage at 13:34. While Ben Olson would manage to score three of the next four baskets for the V-Hawks, the Vikings closed it to a one-possession game with 5:52 left. It was then Jack Monis' turn to go on a run, hitting three straight V-Hawks field goals, but Valley City still managed to take the lead back by one with just over a minute left. Dakota Mannel hit a pair of free throws to end the half and give Viterbo a one-point lead going into the break, 44-43.

Monis started the second half by converting an and-one, followed by another Olson basket at 18:34. Valley City put together an 11-1 run to go up 52-56 at 15:39, and despite a steal by Keegan Severn and multiple baskets from Monis and Olson, the Vikings led 67-75 with 6:00 left in the game. A Monis steal-t-layup at 5:53 started the rally, followed by an Olson and-one and back-to-back threes from Cole Crubel to tie the game at 80-80 with 2:48 left. Monis gave Viterbo the 83-82 lead with 1:20 left, and strong defensive possessions to close the game forced VCSU to foul, giving the V-Hawks the 89082 win.

Viterbo outshot Valley City 57.5%-40% from the floor, including 38.%-28.5% from three, while also winning the rebounding battle 42-30, but committing more turnovers, 23-11.

Monis led all players with 24 points, while adding eight rebounds and two steals, Olson had 19 and six, with Cunitz recording 17 and a game-high nine rebounds. Edmon Paul Oye led the Vikings with a 15-point, 12-rebound double-double.

The V-Hawks return to action on Saturday, January 14 at Dickinson State University (N.D.).