Lions Power Past V-Hawks

FULLERTON, Calif. – The Viterbo University Men's Basketball team lost to Vanguard University (Calif.), who is receiving votes in the most recent NAIA Top 25 Coaches Poll, 93-78 in their final game of the Hope International Tournament on Wednesday night. The V-Hawks fall to 5-9 on the year, while the Lions improve to 8-3.

Colin Adams scored the first points of the game, but Vanguard quickly took the lead with back-to-back threes. Jack Monis scored three straight baskets for the V-Hawks, and an Adams three tied the game at 13-13. The Lions went on a 10-0 run that was ended by a Nick Malovrh jumper, but Vanguard continued to inflate their lead, going up 32-19 at 9:34. Cole Crubel hit a three assisted by Garret Locy , and Monis converted a put-back, but another Lions three extended their lead to 20. Malovrh hit a three-pointer, and Monis and Ben Olson each scored before the half ended, but the V-Hawks trailed 54-37.

Cole Crubel hit a three out of the half, followed by an Olson jumper, then Crubel hit another followed by two Malovrh free throws, bringing the score to 68-53. Stefan Popovic scored on a Keegan Severn assisted jumper, but the Lions lead still hovered around 20 points. Crubel would hit his third and fourth triples of the half, split by four straight points by Monis, but Vanguard would hold onto the 93-78 victory.

Monis led all players with 23 points, while Crubel added 19 on 5-10 shooting from three, Adams grabbed eight rebounds, and Malovrh dished seven assists. Cam'Ron Wilson score 18 points off the bench for the Lions,  and Nico Dasca added 17.

The Teams shot identically from the floor, 30-59 (50.8%), while the Lions put in a few more threes, 11-7, and converted twice as many free throws, 22-28 compared to 11-14 by the V-Hawks. Viterbo grabbed more rebounds, 34-28, but committed more turnovers, 22-15.

The V-Hawks return to action on January 3 as they travel to Dakota Wesleyan University (SD).