V-Hawks Win Again on the Road

NEW ULM, Minn. – The Viterbo University Women's Basketball team started 2024 with a 69-57 win at Martin Luther College (Minn.) on Thursday night. The V-Hawks improve to 5-6 on the year, while the game counted as an exhibition for the Knights.

The Knights started the game with a pair of three pointers, while Emma Wagner scored first for the V-Hawks. After MLC went up 13-9, Pearla Teko-Folly's layup started a run,  and Macy Stellner's layup gave Viterbo their first lead of the game. Nicole Johnson scored five points to end the period and VU led 23-17 after the first.

After Emily McCurdy scored first in the second period, the Knights went on a run to take a 27-25 run. Gina Stefferud got the V-Hawks back on the board, but Martin Luther managed to build a small lead, 35-31. Johnson scored twice more to end the half, but Viterbo trailed 39-35.

Marley Hughes scored four straight as the V-Hawks took back in the lead in the third quarter, followed by a Wagner three for the 49-43 advantage. Megan Miedema and Lauryn Goettl each contributed baskets as Viterbo won the quarter, 19-8.

They would keep the momentum going with a 7-0 run to start the final period, including another Wagner three off a Stellner steal. The V-Hawks were able to match each of the Knights baskets, including buckets from Teko-Folly, Hughes, and McCurdy as Viterbo won, 69-57.

Johnson led the V-Hawks with 12 points, while McCurdy added 10 points with 11 rebounds. Wagner recorded 10 points, as did Stefferud off the bench. Jordyn Heckendorf led Martin Luther with 16 points and 12 rebounds.

The V-Hawks outshot the Knights 39.4% - 30.8% from the floor, while Martin Luither shot better from three, 32% - 9.5%. Viterbo grabbed more rebounds, 43-31, and committed less turnovers, 19-24.

The V-Hawks return to action on Wednesday, Jan 10 as they host Waldorf University (Iowa) in their first NSAA match of the year.