Balanced Scoring Attack Leads V-Hawks to Road Conference Win

DICKINSON, N.D. – The Viterbo University Men's Basketball team topped Dickinson State University (N.D.), 78-73, in a North Star Athletic Association (NSAA) clash on Saturday night. The V-Hawks improve to 10-8 (4-1 NSAA), while the Blue Hawks fall to 7-11 (3-2 NSAA).

Ben Olson would hit the first two baskets for the V-Hawks, and set up Colin Adams for a three on their third possession to go up 7-2. Keegan Severn found Cole Crubel at 12:26 for a three to reclaim the lead 20-19, and followed that up with a steal on the following defensive possession. Luke Spink had a pair of assists to Jack Monis, and Dakota Mannel hit a jumper to put the V-Hawks up 34-30 with 5:48 left. Gus Wright gave the Blue Hawks a 36-35 lead at 1:35, but Mannel and Olson gave Viterbo the advantage, 38-36 going into halftime.

The V-Hawks started the second with an 8-0 run, which included a pair of field goals by Monis and a steal from Mannel. Kose Egbule ended the run for the Blue Hawks, and Dickinson would manage to close it to a one possession game at 15:02. Three straight steals by Viterbo gave the V-Hawks a double digit lead, 58-47, at 9:54, but Gus Wright's three at 6:03 started a run that would make it a four point game, 68-64 with 3:55 left. Though DSU did close it to a one possession game with less than 10 seconds left, the V-Hawks hit their free throws down the stretch and stayed ahead to win the game, 78-73.

Viterbo outshot Dickinson 52%-40%, including 33%-26% from three, while the teams had even amounts of rebounds (37) and turnovers (15).

Robert Cunitz led the V-Hawks with15 points, seven rebounds, and five steals, while Mannel had 15 points and three assists, and Monis had 14 points and a game-high nine boards. Christian Murphy had 16 points and eight rebounds for the Blue Hawks.

Viterbo returns to action on Friday, January 20 as they host Dakota State University (S.D.) at 7:30 PM.