V-Hawks take Loss in Game one of Malika Classic

HILO, Hawai'i - The Viterbo University Women's Basketball team traveled to the University of Hawai'i at Hilo to compete in the 2022 Malika Big Island Classic. The V-Hawks fell to Morningside 55-76 in game one of the classic. Viterbo drops to 2-9 while the Mustangs rise to 6-5 on the season.

The Mustangs started out strong in quarter one with a three-point jumper by Sophia Peppers up 11-5. McKenna Sims helped Morningside maintain their lead 16-7 landing a layup at the 3:05 mark. V-Hawk Emily Bohn answered back with a layup and a jump shot to end quarter one 12-24. Sophie Leinfelder put up the first points in quarter two with a layup at the 9:24 mark. A jumper by Ellie Hoesley closed the gap for the V-Hawks bringing the score to 18-26. A jumper by Peppers kept Morningside in the lead 32-19 with 1:33 left in the half. A buzzer beater by Alexis Spear ended the first half with the Mustangs on top 21-35.

Emily McCurdy came out strong for the V-Hawks in quarter three putting up a jumper followed by two free throws with the score at 28-40. The teams traded points before a layup by Peppers put the Mustangs up 35-50 at the 2:14 mark. Hoesley added a jumper and two free throws before ending quarter three 39-53. Leinfelder landed two free throws for the V-Hawks to start quarter four, 57-41. Peppers answered back with a three-pointer at the 5:57 mark followed by a three point jumper by V-Hawk Tyreesha Blaylock. Kaitlyn Kennedy contributed a three-pointer for Viterbo forcing a timeout by the Mustangs, 51-64. Blaylock and Kennedy each landed a pair of free throws bringing the V-Hawks withing ten points of the Mustangs with two minutes left in the game. Morningside added nine total free throws in the final two minutes of the game. The Mustangs finished over the V-Hawks, 55-76.

Morningside outshot Viterbo from the field (32.4%-27.9%), and held the V-Hawks at 8.7% from the three. Viterbo shot 62.5% from the free throw line just below the Mustang's 66.7%.

Tyreesha Blaylock and Natalia Leguizamon led the V-Hawks with 9 points. Leguizamon added 4 steals and 4 rebounds. Sophie Leinfelder recorded a team high 6 rebounds.

Sophia Peppers dominated the court with 31 points and 11 rebounds. Teammate Chloe Lofstrom added 14 points. Olivia Larsen contributed 4 assists.

The V-Hawks will finish their stay in Hawai'i with a matchup against Arizona Christian University on Monday, December 19 at 4:00 PM CST.