V-Hawks Defeat Martin Luther at Home

LA CROSSE, Wis. - The Viterbo University Women's Basketball team took on Martin Luther College (Minn.) on Wednesday. The V-Hawks topped the Knights 89-64. Viterbo climbs to 2-5 overall. 

The teams traded points early on in the first quarter tieing at 10-10 and again at 16-16 with a pair of free throws by Kaitlyn Kennedy. A layup by Julia Salmen put the V-Hawks up 18-16 to end quarter one. Emma Nelson with the Knights put up the first points to start the second quarter tieing the game 18-18. Martin Luther extended their lead 23-28 with a three-pointer by Grace Kieselhorst. The V-Hawks quickly caught back up to the Knights tieing the game 28-28 with free throws and a three-point jumper by Natalia Leguizamon at the 2:57 mark. Sophie Leinfelder and Kennedy each put up a three-point jumper to put the V-Hawks on top at half 38-30.

Ellie Hoesley put up two jump shots in quarter three to extend Viterbo's lead 49-35. The V-Hawks maintained their lead with an Emily McCurdy layup at the 3:28 minute mark bringing the score to 53-41. Three-point shots by Kennedy and Leguizamon ended the third quarter 68-49. The Knights put up the first points in quarter four with a jumper by Kendra Valleau. Martin Luther's Maya Price landed a three-pointer to help the Knights close the gap 71-56. Viterbo fought back maintaining their lead 79-62 with a pair of free throws by Megan Miedema with 2:07 left in the game. V-Hawk Madison Hugdahl put up a layup to end the game 89-64.

Viterbo dominated the Knights with field goal percentage (52.5 - 40.7), three-point percentage (48.0 - 40.0), and free-throw percentage (75.0 - 57.1). 

Leguizamon and Kennedy each led the team with 15 points and 2 blocks on the night. Leguizamon also recorded 3 steals. Salmen followed with 11 points and McCurdy with 10. Nicole Johnson and Ellie Hoesley added 6 rebounds each.

Emma Nelson led the Knights with 23 points and 7 rebounds. Lydia Feidt recorded 11 points and 5 steals. Lauren Paulsen and Jordyn Heckendorf each added 5 rebounds.

The V-Hawks will stay at home to take on Waldorf University on Saturday, December 3 at 3:00 PM CST.