McCurdy Scores Career-High In Conference Opener Win

LA CROSSE, Wis. – The Viterbo University Women's Basketball team won their North Star athletic Association (NSAA) home conference opener, 83-78, over Waldorf University (Iowa) on Wednesday night. The V-Hawks improve to 6-6 (1-0 NSAA) on the year, while the Warriors fall to 5-9 (0-1 NSAA).

Waldorf would strike first with a three pointer on the first possession, but Viterbo responded with a 12-0 run, including five points from Emma Wagner, and three from Macy Stellner. The Warriors were able to quickly close the match back to a one-point game, and while Megan Miedema ended the run, and Marley Hughes scored with under :20 seconds left, WU led 20-17 after the first.

They would keep their momentum going, scoring the first six points of the second period. Then it was time for a Viterbo run, as Madsion Hugdahl scored four straight points as part of an 8-0 run. Miedema converted a layup, then hit a triple as VU took the lead back 36-33. Miedema scored another layup, as did Lauryn Goettl, while Nora Tucker added a three, and Viterbo ended the half on a 15-0 run, leading 44-33.

The Warriors started the second with a pair of threes from Brooke Dial, and after Emily McCurdy hit a pair of free throws, Dial hit another. Emma Wagner hit a three of her own, but WU evened the score at 51-51 with 3:22 left in the quarter. Pearla Teko-Folly's layup got Viterbo back on the board, but the V-Hawks trailed by one going into the fourth, 54-55.

Nicole Johnson's free throw tied the game early in the final period, and Hughes gave Viterbo the advantage. A quick run from Waldorf gave them a 65-59 lead, but McCurdy scored six of eight straight V-Hawk points to go back up two. Trailing by one, Teko-Folly hit a free throw following an offensive board to send the game into overtime.

McCurdy started the extra time with a layup, and Viterbo built a five point lead with free throws from three different players before the Warriors closed it to 77-76 with just 16 seconds left. Hughes and McCurdy each hit their clutch free throws down the stretch to hold on for the 83-78 win.

McCurdy led the V-Hawks with a career-high 23 points, while Emma Wagner added 12. Teko-Folly grabbed 13 rebounds off the bench, and Miedema recorded four steals. Dial had a game high 25 points to go with 11 rebounds for the Warriors.

Viterbo shot 39.7% from the floor, including 20.8% from three, compared to 36.5%, 34.4%, from the Warriors. Viterbo also grabbed more rebounds, 50-48, and committed less turnovers, 14-21.

Viterbo returns to action on Friday, January 12 as they travel to Mayville State University (ND).