V-Hawks Complete Comeback Win in Overtime

LA CROSSE, Wis. – The Viterbo University Women's Basketball team secured an 84-80 overtime win over Valley City State University (ND) on Saturday night. The V-Hawks improve to 7-9 (2-3 NSAA), while the Vikings fall to 8-11 (2-3 NSAA).

Macy Stellner started the game with a put-back layup, and Emily McCurdy scored on back-to-back possession, but the Vikings matched each basket. Pearla Teko-Folly scored following an offensive layup , then Megan Miedema set up McCrudy for a three and the 15-14 lead. Nora Tucker scored to end the period, with the game tied, 18-18.

Despite layups from Tucker and Teko-Folly, the Vikings built a 33-22 lead. Madison Hugdahl hit a free throw to end the run, and Macy Stellner hit a jumper before the end of the half, but the V-Hawks trailed 35-25.

Stellner scored again to start the third, and Marley Hughes hit a triple, but it would be Lauryn Goettl's layup that started a run, including a Gina Stefferud and-one, to bring the game within five. Taylor Jacobson found Emma Wagner for three, and McCurdy scored four straight, helping to close the deficit to 49-46 going into the fourth quarter.

Hughes three to start the fourth tied the game, then she hit two free throws for the lead. McCurdy also hit a three, but with 4:22 left, VCSU led 64-56. Another three and free throw from Hughes brought the game within five, and after a Stellner layup and Wagner three, it was a one possession game. Trailing by four following Viking free throws, Teko-Folly grabbed an offensive rebound, converted a layup, then the Vikings only hit one free throw, setting up Hughes for a game tying three with just one second left.

Teko-Folly scored twice early in overtime, but Valley City would still find themselves ahead, 78-76. Teko-Folly tied the game again, then two layups from McCurdy gave Viterbo the 82-80. She then hit the dagger with 10 seconds left, assisted by Wagner, and Viterbo won, 84-80.

McCurdy led the V-Hawks with 22 points, Hughes had 16, and Teko-Folly had a 14-point, 10-point double-double. Ashlyn Diemert had 23 points for the Vikings.

The teams shot similarly from the floor, 44.4% for the V-Hawks to 42.9% form the Vikings, but VU had the advantage from three, 40.% - 29.2%. Viterbo also had the slight edge in rebounds, 42-41, and turnovers, 26-27.

The V-Hawks return to action on Saturday, January 27 as they host Dickinson State University (ND).