Lights out shooting performance lifts BU over Viterbo

LA CROSSE, Wis. -- The Bellevue University women's basketball team shot a season-best 58.1 percent from the floor to defeat Viterbo University 81-72 on Saturday afternoon in North Star Athletic Association play inside the R.W. Beggs Sr. Gymnasium.

Records:

Bellevue: 15-9 (6-2 NSAA)
Viterbo: 7-13 (4-5 NSAA)

Recap: Bellevue 81, Viterbo 72

Bellevue led 16-15 after the first quarter before hitting their stride in the second period. The Bruins shot 75 percent and drained 4-of-5 three point attempts to out-score Viterbo 27-15 in the second and snag a 43-30 halftime advantage.

Leading by two points with just over four minutes to play in the half, BU used a 14-1 run in just 3:36 of game time to push their lead comfortably into double-digits.

Viterbo promptly trimmed the deficit to just six points with an 8-1 run out of the break as the V-Hawks made three of their first four shots to start the half.

For the remainder of the third quarter, BU's lead fluctuated between six and 10 points before the Bruins were able to take a 61-51 lead into the final period.

The V-Hawks got to within five points with 1:34 to go but no closer as Bellevue secured the win by hitting 7-of-8 free throw attempts in the final 37 seconds.

Faith Ross poured in a game-high 20 points on 6-of-9 shooting and a perfect 6-of-6 effort at the charity stripe. She added five rebounds, four steals, and three assists for a terrific all-around game.

Joining Ross in double figures were three other Bruins in Elexis Martinez (14), Brittany Hill (12), and Jamie Winkler (10). Taeha Pankey and Khalilah Holloway each chipped in nine points.

Laura Jurek led all players with seven boards as BU out-rebounded the V-Hawks 35-20 on the afternoon.

Madison Lindauer led three Viterbo players in double figures, finishing with 21 points. Ambree Schlosser and Alyssa Nilssen each added 11 points. Nilssen was limited to just 22 minutes of action after dealing with foul trouble much of the game and fouling out with just under four minutes to play.

Up Next:

Bellevue wraps up their regular-season road slate next weekend. The Bruins travel to Mayville State University for a 5:30 p.m. tip-off on Friday (Feb. 7) and conclude the weekend at Presentation College on Saturday (Feb. 8) with a 3 p.m. start time.