Women's Basketball returns with overtime win over Valley City State

LA CROSSE, Wis. - The Viterbo University Women's Basketball team returned to action on Friday night at R.W. Beggs Sr. Gymnasium after a three-week break from play. The V-Hawks took on Valley City State University and came out on top, 78-72, in overtime. 

The V-Hawks came out ready to fight, only trailing by one after one-quarter of play. Viterbo only shot 21.4 percent from the field in the second quarter, sending them in the locker room trailing 25-29. However, things started to click offensively for Viterbo in the second half, outscoring Valley City 19-13 in the third quarter, giving them the 44-42 edge over the Vikings with one quarter remaining in regulation.

With only three minutes remaining in the game, the Vikings had a six-point advantage. Kacie Gross and Chyna Young made some big plays to put the V-Hawks back in it and a Kaitlyn Kennedy and-one tied things back up. Despite a last-second Viterbo steal by Ellie Hoesley, the game would need to go into overtime to decide a winner.

Kennedy went on a 3-0 scoring run to open up the extra minutes. Although the Vikings fought hard until the end, Young closed things out with a made jumper and five good free throws to secure the victory. 

Gross had a team-high 18 points, while Young was right behind her with 17 points of her own. Kennedy ended the night with 14 points and Emily McCurdy added 11 points. As a team, the V-Hawks shot 36.4 percent from the field and 70.3 percent from the charity stripe. Gross also had a team-high eight rebounds on the night. Young sank nine of her 12 free throw attempts. 

The V-Hawks will remain home on Saturday for another conference matchup against Dickinson State University. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. CST. Follow the action on viterboathletics.com or by following us on social media.