V-Hawks Outlast Saints in close Conference Matchup

LA CROSSE, Wis. - The Viterbo University Women's Basketball team took on the Presentation College Saints on Friday and took home the win 66-65. The V-Hawks rise to 3-10 overall and 1-1 in NSAA play. The Saints fall to 1-12 overall and 0-2 in league play.

The teams traded points to start out quarter one tieing at 11-11 with a jumper by Sophie Leinfelder. Kaitlyn Kennedy added a layup followed by a three-pointer to bring Viterbo in the lead 16-11. Quarter one ended with V-Hawks up 16-11. The Saints quickly caught up to the V-Hawks starting quarter two 20-19 with a jumper by Emma Ogitchida. A three by Evelyn Abundes allowed Presentation to gain the lead 20-22 with 5:19 left before half. The Saints stretched their lead 22-29 before a couple layups by Viterbo's Emily McCurdy and Tyreesha Blaylock allowed the V-Hawks to get within three points, 30-33. Abundes landed a three-pointer to end quarter two with the Saints leading 31-36.

The teams traded points to start off quarter three with Julia Salmen contributing a layup and a jumper for the V-Hawks 40-44. Ogitchida put up two free-throws for the Saints with 2:40 left in quarter three and Presentation up 40-49. Natalia Leguizamon and Salmen answered back with a three-pointer to end quarter three 46-50. The Saints maintained their lead to start quarter four with a jumper by Nek Newell, 51-58. Emily Bohn landed a jumper for the V-Hawks bringing the score to 57-60 at the 5:26 mark. McCurdy landed two free-throws putting the V-Hawks within one point of the Saints, 61-62. Newell put up a jumper for Presentation at the 1:27 mark with the Saints still on top 61-64. Leguizamon put the V-Hawks on top 65-64 with 55 seconds left in the game forcing a Presentation timeout. Each team landed a free-throw bringing the final score to 66-65.

Viterbo outscored Presentation from the field (43.9%-39.7%) but failed to outscore the Saints from the three (29.4%-38.9).

Gina Stefferud led the V-Hawks with 10 points followed by Salmen and Kennedy each adding 9. Bohn added 11 rebounds and 3 assists. Leinfelder contributed 8 points, 4 steals, and 4 assists.

Abundes led the Saints with 27 points. Teammate Nek Newell added 12 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists. Ogitchida contributed 10 points followed by Kayla Carman with 6 points and 6 rebounds.

The V-Hawks will remain at home to take on Mayville State University on Saturday, January 7th at 3:00 PM CST.