Mustangs Best V-Hawks at Home

LA CROSSE, Wis. – The Viterbo University Women's Basketball team fall at home to Mount Mercy University (Iowa) on Saturday afternoon, 87-56. The V-Hawks fall to 1-4 on the year, while the Mustangs improve to 2-1.

MMU scored the first four points of the game, but Ellie Hoesly's three started a 9-0 response by the V-Hawks, including back-to-back layups from Emily McCurdy. The Mustangs ended a five minute scoring drought, and Macy Stellner's layup had Viterbo in the lead, 11-8 to end the quarter.

Gina Stefferud scored first in the second period, but Mount Mercy built a 17-15 lead. Megan Miedema converted an and-one at 7:11 for the one point advantage, but MMU quickly took control again, 26-20. Emma Wagner nailed a three, but even after consecutive baskets from Pearla Teko-Folly, Mount Mercy stayed ahead, leading 37-31 going into the half.

She scored again to start the third, but then the Mustangs scored 10 unanswered points. Stefferud ended the run, and after two threes from Sadie Struchen, Hoesly hit another in response. MMU made it a 20-point game at 1:43, and Megan Miedema ended the third with a triple, the V-Hawks trailing 62-43.

Marley Hughes hit a three assisted by Teko-Folly to start the fourth, and followed that with a layup, but Struchen stayed hot to extend the Mustangs lead. Ward made her second three of the period at 4:50, but that would be Viterbo's only basket until Zuzanna Pacak's layup with under :20 seconds left.

Teko-Folly led the V-Hawks with 10 points and four rebounds, Emily Bohn grabbed five boards, and Emily McCurdy recorded three steals. Struchen posted a game-high 28 points.

The Mustangs shot 52.3% from the floor to Viterbo's 31%, including 34.8% - 21.4% from three. The Mustangs also grabbed five more rebounds, 44-39.

The V-Hawks return to action on Wednesday, November 15 as they host University of St. Francis (Ill.) at 6:30 PM.