V-Hawks Claim Victory in Home Opener

LA CROSSE, Wis. – The Viterbo University Men's Basketball team defeated Clarke University (Iowa) in their home opener 72-55 on Wednesday night. The V-Hawks improve to 2-1 on the year, while the Pride fall to 1-2.

Dakota Mannel found Ben Olson and Jack Monis on the first two possessions of the game, followed by hitting a three for a 7-0 V-Hawk lead. Monis set up Cole Crubel for a jumper at 10:27 to go up 15-6, but the Pride responded with a 12-2 run to take their first lead of the match, 18-17. Jacob Fierst scored 10 straight points for CU before Nick Malovhr hit a three to end the run at 5:02. Malovrh hit another three to give Viterbo the 32-30 lead, and the V-Hawks carried that into a 11-1 run to lead 40-31 at the half.

Chris Burnell scored the first five points after the break, but four points down would be the closest Clarke would get. A Crubel jumper and a pair of Monis free throws put Viterbo up 10 again at 12:47, and after a Fierst converted an and-one, Lydell King responded with a Stefan Popovic assisted three. With five minutes left, Olson hit a jump shot that started a 12-0 Viterbo run to put the game away. Drake Hammel hit a three to end the run, but Viterbo would win comfortably, 75-55.

Monis posted a game-high 20 points, Colin Adams led the V-Hawks with eight boards, while Olson had 15 points to go with six boards, and Mannel dished 10 assisted and produced four steals. Fierst also recorded 20 points, while Biggie Luster grabbed 11 rebounds.

Viterbo outshot Clarke 45% - 37% from the floor, while the teams shot similarly from three, 26.7% - 25%. Clarke grabbed three more rebounds than the V-Hawks (36-33) but committed 11 more turnovers (19-8).

The V-Hawks return to action on Saturday, November 4 as they host Judson University (Ill.) at 4 PM.