February 2, 2024

La CROSSE, Wis. – Viterbo (Wis.) shot a blazing 61.4 percent overall from the field to roll past Dakota State (S.D.) 92-70 in the North Star Athletic Association men's basketball action Friday evening at R.W. Beggs Gymnasium.  Friday's contest marked the final conference regular season meeting between DSU and VU.

Dakota State, who had their five-game winning streak halted, fell to 15-8 overall record and 5-2 NSAA conference record.  Viterbo won their third straight game to improve their overall record to 9-13 and 3-4 record in the league.  Both teams split their season series meetings, with each team winning on their own home court (DSU won the first meeting 94-71 at DSU Fieldhouse on Jan. 19).

The Trojans stay on the road Saturday evening as they visit Waldorf (Iowa) in another North Star contest.  Tip-off from the Hanson Fieldhouse is set for 5 p.m.

Viterbo (Wis.) 92, Dakota State (S.D.) 70 – FINAL

Dakota State (S.D.) kicked off with a dunk by Emmanuel Akpan (assisted by Mison Coilton) for a 2-0 lead with nineteen minutes, thirty-nine seconds on the clock.

After trading leads, Viterbo went on a 14-5 scoring surge to turn their 6-4 deficit into 20-11 lead after Stefan Popovic's basket with 13:06 to go in the first.

Trailing 30-17, the Trojans used an 8-2 outburst to cut the V-Hawks' lead to 32-25 when Brayden Pankonen drained a 3-pointer (assisted by Josh Lewis) with 6:45 to go in the first half.

Viterbo maintained their lead between 8- and 15-points for the remaining of the first half.  Dakota Mannel hit a 3-pointer to give VU a 52-37 lead with 31 seconds to go.

Uzo Dibiamaka closed the first half with a layup as the Trojans trailed 52-39.

The V-Hawks shot a sizzling 70 percent from the field in the first half (21-of-30 field goals), including 7-of-9 from the 3-point line.  The Trojans were 51.7 percent from the field (15-of-29 field goals) and 3-of-9 3-pointers.

DSU started the second half with an 8-2 scoring run to cut VU's lead to 54-47 after Coilton's layup, forcing VU to call a timeout with 17:09 remaining.

The V-Hawks answered with a 12-2 scoring run after their timeout as Cole Crubel hit a 3-pointer for 66-49 lead with 13:18 to go.

Viterbo maintained their double-digit lead for the rest of the game, securing the victory.  VU outscored DSU 40-31 in the final twenty minutes of the game.

The V-Hawks shot 51.9 percent from the field in the second half (14-of-27 field goals) compared to the Trojans 50 percent (13-of-26 field goals).

Coilton led the Trojans with 19 points and five rebounds.  He was 7-of-9 from the field and converted 5-of-8 free-throws.  He also recorded two steals, two assists, and a block.  Pankonen added 14 points (5-of-9 field goals, including 3-of-6 from the 3-point arc).  Apkan tallied 12 points (5-of-7 field goals) and pulled down five rebounds.

Lewis scored nine points off the bench for Dakota State.  Japjit Gill, Dibiamaka, and Uhana Ochan each had four points. 

Jack Monis and Crubel each scored 18 points for the V-Hawks.  Monis was 9-of-13 from the field.  Crubel hit 6-of-10 field goals, including 3-of-6 3-pointers.  Ben Olson had 14 points on his 6-of-11 field goals and two free-throws.  Nick Malovrh had 12 points and five assists. 

Mannel tallied nine points and contributed a game-high 10 assists for Viterbo.  Colin Adams had eight points and four rebounds.  Garret Locy scored nine points off the bench.

Viterbo shot 35-of-57 from the field and 9-of-15 3-pointers.  Dakota State was 50.9 percent from the field (28-of-55 field goals) and 4-of-20 from the 3-point arc. 

VU converted 13-of-17 free-throws to DSU 10-of-18 free-throws. 

The Trojans had a slim rebounding edge over the V-Hawks 28-27. 

Viterbo outscored Dakota State 21-5 in points off turnovers and 31-17 in bench points.  DSU outscored VU 46-36 in points in the paint.