Olson and Crubel Score 21, But V-Hawks Fall to Comets

MAYVILLE, ND – The Viterbo University Men's Basketball team dropped an NSAA matchup on the road at Mayville State University (ND), who is receiving votes in the most recent NAIA Top 25 Coaches Poll, 88-71 on Friday night. The V-Hawks fall to 6-11 (0-2 NSAA), while the Comets improve to 13-3 (1-0 NSAA).

The V-Hawks would start the game with a pair of threes from Nick Malovrh and Cole Crubel. Crubel kept the hot hand going, hitting two more threes, taking the lead, 14-12 at 14:42. Jack Monis converted an and-one layup, followed by a pair of free throws by Keegan Severn as the teams traded leads. Another Crubel three put Viterbo up 32-26, and Ben Olson scored five straight for the V-Hawks, but the Comets battled back, managing to take a one-point lead going into the half, 44-43.

Crubel picked up where he left off in the second, with another three and two-point jumper early in the half. Olson added six more points as the V-Hawks went up 58-53, but MSU put together a run to take the lead back, 60-58. Following another Olson three, the Comets went on a 21-5 run, taking control 83-69. Olson scored again late, but Mayville would win 88-71.

Crubel and Olson led the V-Hawks with 21 points apiece, while Severn grabbed six rebounds, and Malovrh dished six assists with four steals. Darren Jones led Mayville with 20 points off the bench, while Jamison Kramer had 12 with eight rebounds.

The Comets outshot the V-Hawks from the floor, 51.6% - 38%, and from three, 30% - 26.9%. The also recorded more rebounds, 51-29, while committing more turnovers, 18-11.

Viterbo returns to action on Friday, January 19 as they travel to #13 Dakota State (SD).