LA CROSSE, WIS. – Iowa Wesleyan College hit five of its final six free throws to escape with a 73-69 win over Viterbo (Wis.) University Saturday afternoon at Viterbo’s R.W. Beggs, Sr. Gymnasium.
In a contest that saw 11 lead changes and 8 ties, Iowa Wesleyan College took a 65-58 lead, with 6:46 remaining, on a 17-5 run. Their lead would not last long. Viterbo scored seven straight points capped by a three-pointer from Katina Mandylaris. The Tigers would break the tie on their next possession on a drive and lay-up by Ali DeVries (Jr.-Bellevue, Iowa) and would not trail the rest of the contest.
The first half was mainly controlled by the V-Hawks as Viterbo led for all but five minutes in the opening period. Viterbo took its largest lead of the contest on a 7-1 run which saw Mandylaris score five straight points, the final ones on a three-point play making it 28-22 with 4:01 left in the half.
Trailing 32-26 with 3:38 left in the first half, Iowa Wesleyan College out-scored Viterbo 9-5 to trail 37-35 at the break. Megan Couch (Jr.-Mooresville, Ind.) had five points in the run, including a three-pointer that made it 34-33 with 2:55 left in the half.
The Tigers had four players in double figures led by Anna Jones (Fr.-Cornell, Ill.) with 14 points. Couch and Brittany Okland (Sr.-Kelley, Iowa) both added 13 points while Heather Larson (Jr.-Canton, Ill.) finished with 11 points, including three three-pointers, and also led the team in rebounds with six.
Viterbo had a very balanced attack with three players in double figures. Mandylaris led the way with 22 points while Audrah Berger chipped in 12 points and Brooke Anderson added 10 points. Mandylaris also grabbed a game-high 18 rebounds as she recorded her fourth straight and eleventh double-double of the season.
As a team, Viterbo had an advantage in almost every statistical category as it controlled most of the contest but could not pull the upset. Viterbo finished the contest 23-58 (39.7%) from the floor including 7-16 (43.8%) from the three-point line. IWC shot 22-48 (45.8%) from the floor but just 6-19 from behind the arc. Viterbo did have a 40-31 advantage on the boards including a 15-8 lead in offensive rebounds.
The Tigers will have a week off now until their next game Jan. 24 at home against Waldorf College.
For more information regarding the IWC basketball programs or any of the Tiger athletic teams, contact sports information director Adam Glatczak (319-385-6306 phone; 319-385-6384 FAX; aglatczak@iwc.edu e-mail) or log on to IWC's athletics web site at www.iwc.edu/athletics.
