MADISON, Wis. - It was bound to be a rough road as the Edgewood College men's basketball team searched for roles and an identity against a tough non-conference schedule, but they probably didn't expect a sinkhole this big to open in front of them. Viterbo University shot 53.6 percent from the field and ran the Eagles out of the Edgedome in a 75-39 victory on Tuesday night.
Viterbo University (7-6) scored the first 10 points of the game and never looked back again. The V-Hawks were nearly untouchable in the first half, shooting 63 percent (17-for-27) from the field and hitting all three of their three-point shots. Edgewod College (2-7) meanwhile, missed their first five shots before Cashton Craig got the Eagles on the board with back-to-back buckets. The Eagles got back to within nine at 20-11, on a short jumper by Trevor Neale, but never got within 10 points again. Viterbo scored the final three baskets of the first half to take a 41-18 lead into halftime.
The scoreboard didn't improve in the second half as Viterbo pushed their margin beyond 30 points at 60-30 with eight minutes left in the game. The blowout marked Edgewood College largest margin of defeat on record since a 114-60 loss to Rockford College on December 3, 1980. Based on available records, 39 points was the Eagles' lowest point total since a 47-37 loss to UW-Stevens Point in 1999.
Justin Williams led the Eagles with 11 points, a team-high eight rebounds and three blocked shots. Joe Klocek added eight points. The Eagles couldn't buy a bucket from the three-point line, shooting 1-for-19 from the arc and just 28 percent from the field in total.
Viterbo University was led by Matt Turba with 16 points. He was joined in double figures by Alex Diciaula with 13 points and Cole Lewis with 11 points. The V-Hawks shot 50 percent (7-for-14) from the field and outscored the Eagles on the fastbreak 19-0.
Edgewood College will pull together for a battle on Saturday at sixth-ranked UW-Stevens Point. The Eagles and Pointers will tip off at 7:00 p.m. from Quandt Fieldhouse in Stevens Point.