V-Hawks Take Down League-Leading Trojans

LA CROSSE, Wis. – The Viterbo University Men's Basketball team topped NSAA-leading Dakota State University (SD) 92-70 on Friday night. The V-Hawks improve to 9-13 (3-4 NSAA), while the Trojans fall to 15-8 (5-2 NSAA).

The teams traded baskets early including a Ben Olson jumper and Nick Malovrh three, followed by a Colin Adams dunk. Cole Crubel added a pair of jumpers, including one three, as Viterbo built a 20-11 lead. He was then fouled on a three, and hit all three attempts from the line. Leading by 10, Malovrh hit his second triple of the game, while Crubel stayed hot with another from downtown. The Trojans were able to match almost each shot, and after Adams found Dakota Mannel for three, Mannel found Malovrh again, though DSU still only trailed by 12. Mannel hit one more three before the half, but Uzo Dibiamaka scored the final basket, and Viterbo led 52-39.

Olson started the second with a pair from the stripe, but Dakota State responded with eight unanswered points. Olson ended the run, and Jack Monis led the offense with a pair of layups before Crubel hit another three. Keegan Severn and Garret Locy each added layups off the bench, and after a Monis jumper, neither team scored for over two minutes. Monis ended the drought, and Olson ended the game with three elbow jumper en route to Viterbo's big 92-70 victory.

Monis and Crubel each had 18 points, Olson added 14, and Mannel narrowly missed a double-double with nine points and 10 assists. Mison Coilton had 19 for the Trojans.

The V-Hawks shot a blazing 61.4% from the floor and 60% from three (9-15), while DSU shot 50.9%, 20% form three. VU also only committed nine turnovers to Dakota State's 15.

The V-Hawks return to action on Saturday, February 3 as they host Bellevue University.