Mannel Lifts V-Hawks over Blue Hawks

LA CROSSE, Wis. – The Viterbo University Men's Basketball team got back in the win column on Friday night as they defeated North Star Athletic Association (NSAA) foe Dickinson State University (N.D.) 71-69. The V-Hawks improve to 13-10 (7-3 NSAA), while the Blue Hawks fall to 10-13 (6-4 NSAA).

While the Blue Hawks would be the first on the board with a layup by Gus Wright at 18:53. The V-Hawks responded on the next possession with a Ben Olson field goal which started a 16-0 run highlighted by eight points from Jack Monis, five from Robert Cunitz, and steals by Dakota Mannel, Monis, Colin Adams, and Olson. Dickinson ended the run at 11:42 with a pair of free throws by Trey Hladky, and closed the gap to 24-22 at the 5:21 mark. Monis converted an and-one, and Garrett Locy blocked a shot down the stretch to help give Viterbo a 35-27 lead going into halftime.

Monis led all players with 16 first-half points to go with five boards. Cunitz added eight points and Olson six rebounds. Christian Murphy had eight points, five rebounds, and three assists for DSU.

Monis put in a layup to start the scoring for Viterbo in the second and Adams followed with a Cunitz-assisted layup of his own. Dickinson would make five consecutive three pointers en route to taking a 50-47 lead. Cole Crubel answered with a triple but the Blue Hawks would go up 53-57 for their largest lead of the game.  A 7-0 run helped the V-Hawks go back up 60-57, and the teams would trade leads until Monis hit a jumper at 1:03 to go up 69-67. Dahlberg tied the game with a layup assisted by a full court pass from Kose Egbule, but Mannel's driving layup with five seconds left put Viterbo up 71-69. John Evans had a look at a three at the buzzer, but it would rim out and the V-Hawks would claim victory.

Viterbo outshot Dickinson 48-44.6% from the floor, but DSU had the edge from three, 41%-33%. The Blue Hawks also won the rebounding battle, 38-33, but Viterbo would commit less turnovers, 13-18.

Monis led all players with 26 points, and added seven rebounds, while Mannel had 14 points and four assists, and Cunitz posted 11 points. Murphy led the Blue Hawks with 14 points and six rebounds.

Viterbo returns to action Saturday, February 3 as they host Valley City State University (N.D.) at 5:00 PM.