Blaylock's Big Night Leads V-Hawks Over Judson

ELGIN, Ill. – The Viterbo University Women's Basketball team defeated Judson University (Ill.), 85-73, Tuesday night in at the Lindner Fitness Center. With the win, the V-Hawks improve to 4-11 while the Eagles drop to 3-15.

Judson quickly jumped out to a 7-2 lead, but Gina Stefferud responded with a pair of jumpers at 8:49. Natalia Leguizamon hit a three at 6:16 to tie the game at 11-11, followed by Emma Wagner's layup to give Viterbo their first lead of the game. Tyreesha Blaylock's layup at 4:12 sparked a run that included a steal and assist to set up a Kaitlyn Kennedy and-one and another Leguizamon three, giving VU a 28-18 lead at 2:18. Madison Carlson hit a three for the Eagles with under :10 seconds left in the first to bring the score to 30-24.

Blaylock started the second with a steal and two jumpers, with Stefferud adding a layup and assist to another Leguizamon three putting the V-Hawks up 13. With 4:35 left in the half, Leguizamon hit another three that started an 11-0 run, fueled by a Julia Salmen block and an Ellie Hoesley jumper, leaving the score at 55-35 at the end of the half.

Leinfelder started the scoring in the second half, but a 14-0 run in the Eagles favor took up over half the third quarter. Leinfelder would end the run with a jumper at 1:46, and score the last basket for the V-Hawks in a third, a jump shot with :59 left, accounting for over half of Viterbo's points in the period. Sydnie Wolf would hit a pair of free throws with less than :20 seconds left to bring the score to 68-57.

Aubrey Quintana brought Judson within five with a three two minutes into the fourth, but that would be the closest they would get, as Leguizamon's free throws, followed by consecutive and-ones by Stefferud, helped put Viterbo back up 15 quickly. Blaylock and Kennedy would each score n the final minute to give the V-Hawks an 85-73 victory.

Viterbo outshot Judson 55%-43% from the field and 30%-19% from three, forced more turnovers (16-13) and scored more points off those turnovers (22-11). However, the Eagles did win the rebounding battle (39-35).

Blaylock only missed one shot on the night en route to a game- and career-high 21 points and two steals, followed by Leguizamon's 19 points, and two steals, Stefferud's 14 points and five boards, and LEeinfelder's 13 points.

Quintana matched the game-high 21 points, while Easton Kimball had a 17-point 12-rebound double-double.

Viterbo returns to action Friday, January 13 as they travel to Valley City State University (N.D.).