BU holds off Viterbo in physical affair

BELLEVUE, Neb. -- The Bellevue University men's basketball team shot an efficient 54 percent from the floor and took exception care of the basketball in the second half of a 71-66 victory over Viterbo University on Friday evening in North Star Athletic Association action at the Gordon Lozier Athletic Center.

Bellevue has now won five-straight and 10 of 11 overall to improve to 15-6 (5-0 NSAA) on the year.

Viterbo, who had entered Friday with wins in five of their previous six contests, fell to 9-10 (3-3 NSAA).

Much of the first half was tight with neither side leading by more than two possessions until a late 7-0 run by the Bruins, which closed the half, gave BU a 35-27 halftime lead.

Viterbo matched their largest lead of the half on a three-pointer from Nicholas Malovrh with 5:58 to play that put the V-Hawks ahead 22-18.

Connor Dukes kick-started a 10-0 BU run as the Bruins took a six-point lead, 28-22, with 3:49 to play.

After five-straight points by Noah Fredrickson cut the lead to one, Bellevue scored the final seven points of the half in 1:34. This came despite BU committing 10 turnovers in the opening half.

Coming out of the break both teams shot the ball well, combining to make six of the first eight field goal attempts of the second half.

Bellevue stretched their lead to a game-high nine points on a Lewis Hayes jumped at the 7:42 mark to go up 59-50.

Viterbo answered with an 8-2 run. Niamey Harris put a stop to the momentum with a triple at the 5:33 mark to give BU a 64-58 advantage.

The V-Hawks got no closer than three points the rest of the way and Bellevue hit on 3-of-5 free throw attempts in the final 19 seconds.

Dukes hit both ends of a 1-and-1 with 2.5 seconds to go to ice the victory.

Bellevue shot 55.3 percent from the field and drained 11-of-24 three-point attempts (45.8%) while holding the V-Hawks to 43.6 percent shooting. BU out-rebounded Viterbo by a 31-27 margin.

Harris drained three three-pointers to lead a trio of Bruins in double figures with 17 points. Hayes joined him with 13 points, five boards, and four assists. Amenofis Mitchell was the third Bruin in double figures with 11 points including a 3-of-4 effort from downtown.

Jaron Dickson took on the role of floor general in this one as he scored seven points, dished out a game-high eight assists, and hauled in a game-best seven rebounds.

BU cleaned up their play in the second half, committing just three turnovers after the intermission.

Noah Fredrickson and Lowden Rockweiler paced Viterbo with 13 points apiece.

Two-time NSAA Player of the Week Tyree Young struggled to a 3-of-11 effort from the floor for eight points. He did add five rebounds and four steals. He entered play averaging 16.7 points overall and 23.3 in his last three league games.

The Bruins were playing without leading scorer and assist-man Jemeil King (16.9 PPG, 102 Asst) due to injury.

Up Next:

Bellevue is back in action tomorrow evening with a 5 p.m. tip-off against Waldorf University (6-13 | 3-3 NSAA).