Fourth Quarter Rally Falls Short

LA CROSSE, Wis. – The Viterbo University Women's Basketball team lost at home to Haskell Indian Nations University (Kans.) on Friday night, 68-62. The V-Hawks fall to 2-6 on the year, while the Indians improve to 3-9.

The Indians jumped out to a 14-4 lead in the first quarter, and after a Pearla Teko-Folly put-back layup, extended their lead to 19-6. Macy Stellner converted an and-one with :53 seconds in the quarter. Teko-Folly added another layup, but Haskell scored right before the buzzer to bring their lead to 21-11.

Emma Wagner scored the first seven points of the quarter for the V-Hawks, closing the deficit to 18-23 at 6:21. Haskell extended the lead to 10 again, but after another Wagner three, Stellner scored four points and Viterbo trailed just 33-37 at the half.

A Marley Hughes triple in the third made it a one possession game at 7:21, but the Indians pulled away again to a double-digit lead. Nora Tucker hit a pair of free throws to end the run, but Haskell responded with another three-pointer. Gina Stefferud hit four free throws in the final minute of the period to bring the score to 54-44.

Viterbo quickly made it a close game in the third, with a Stellner three and two Teko-Folly layups contributing to a 9-3 run. Wagner's three followed by Tucker's layup brought the score to 58-60, and while the Indians scored again, Stellner responded with a layup of her own. However, the V-Hawks would only muster one more basket, and Haskell hit just enough free throws down the stretch for the 68-62 win.

Wagner led all players with 15 points, while Teko-Folly had 14, four steals, and 12 rebounds, and Stellner added 14 points. Wakiyan Irving had 12 points and three steals for Haskell. Haskell outshot the V-Hawks from the floor, 37.7% - 34.4%, and from three, 26.5% - 19.4%. Meanwhile Viterbo grabbed more rebounds, 45-36, but committed more turnovers, 24-21.

The V-Hawks return to action on Tuesday, December 19 as they hoist St. Ambrose University (Iowa) at 6 PM.