Upset Falls Short at Ranked Mayville State

MAYVILLE, ND – The Viterbo University Women's Basketball team lost on the road at Mayville State University (ND), ranked #18 in the most recent NAIA Top 25 Coaches Poll, 58-51 on Friday night. The V-Hawks fall to 6-7 (1-1 NSAA) on the year, while the Comets improve to 12-2 (1-0 NSAA).

Emily McCurdy scored the first basket for the V-Hawk, with a layup at 8:15 in the first, followed by a Marley Hughes three-pointer for a 5-4 lead. Hughes later found Nicole Johnson for a jumper, then Gina Stefferud scored off an offensive board to tie the game at 10-10. Johnson scored again, then set up a Nora Tucker tiple, leaving the game tied 15-15 after the first.

The teams traded baskets all throughout the second period, with neither team building more than a three-point lead. Macy Stellner contributed a pair of baskets, Emily Bohn scored her first points, and Tucker nailed another three to leave the game tied 26-26 going into the break.

McCurdy started the second half with a three of her own, but the Comets would then score six straight. Johnson ended the short, and sparked the V-Hawks as they quickly evened the score yet again. However, MSU built another lead, and following a McCurdy jump shot, Viterbo trialed 37-42 going into the final period.

The Comets jumped continued their momentum into the fourth, going up 11 despite a Johnson jumper. The V-Hawks would not fold, however, as Johnson then converted an and-one, McCurdy scored, and Emma Wagner hit a three to bring the score to 47-50. The teams traded scores, but Hughes jump shot at 2:15 would be VU's final points, and after fouling to end the game, they fell, 51-58.

Johnson led the V-Hawks with 13 points, while McCurdy added 11, and Wagner contributed seven rebounds and five assists. Mackenzie Hughes led all players with 24 points for the Comets, while Jordan Zrust had nine rebounds.

Viterbo outshot Mayville from the floor, 42.3% - 32%, and from three, 29.4% - 4.2%, but the difference was made at the free throw line, as Viterbo went 2-3, and Mayville went 25-29. The V-Hawks also grabbed more rebounds, 37-26, but committed more turnovers, 26-14.

Viterbo returns to action on Friday, January 19 as they travel to #13 Dakota State (SD).