V-Hawks Season Ends in Conference Quarterfinals

MADISON, S.D. – The Viterbo University Men's Basketball season came to an end on Wednesday night as they fell, 85-61, to Dakota State University (SD) in the first round of the NSAA 2024 Men's Basketball Postseason Tournament. The V-Hawks end their season at 12-16, while the Trojans improve to 17-12 and advance to the semifinal round at Bellevue University (Neb.) on Sunday.

The V-Hawks took an early lead behind a Nick Malovrh layup and Dakota Mannel three. Dakota scored eight straight for the lead, but Malovrh and ack Monis scored to end the run. Keegan Severn scored a pair of baskets, but the Trojans extended their lead to 23-13. Mannel hit another three, and Monis hit a jumper, but DSU matched each basket. Cole Crubel and Stefan Popovic each hit threes off the bench and Ben Olson scored with :20 seconds left, but the V-Hawks trailed 44-28 going into halftime.

Olson scored the first three buckets out of the half for Viterbo, followed by one from Monis, but the Trojans answered each score. The two continued to lead the offense before another Mannel three at 11:29, though VU was still behind by 20. Six more points from Mannel was supplemented by a Malovrh three, but Viterbo was unable to close the deficit. Monis scored the final V-Hawk basket a t 1:49, and Viterbo lost, 85-61.

Mannel led Viterbo with 17 points and six assists, while Monis had 13 with rebounds, and Olson scored 13. Emmanuel Akpan had 15 points for the Trojans.

Dakota State outshot Viterbo, 56.6% - 46.2% form the floor, while the V-Hawks were more efficient from three, 45.5% - 44.1%. Both teams grabbed 29 rebounds, while the V-Hawks committed more turnovers, 16-12.

With the conclusion of the season, Jack Monis moves into Viterbo's top-10 all-time in points (1854), field goals made (755), field goals attempted (1451), and rebounds (731).