The 2011-2012 Falcon men's basketball season began on Tuesday night in La Crosse as the #21 ranked Falcons battled Viterbo. Shane Manor (Altoona, WI, UW-Superior) led the team with 21 points, but it wasn't enough as the Hawks upset the Falcons, 73-63.
Lead by Matt Turba's 26 points, the Hawks were able to pull off an early season upset over a Falcon team that committed 24 turnovers and was just 14% from three-point range.
The Falcons jumped out to an early 2-0 lead on a jumper by Manor, but that would be the largest Falcon lead of the game. They struggled to keep possession of the basketball all night as they committed 24 turnovers.
Wade Guerin (Bloomington, MN, St. Croix Lutheran HS) lead all players with nine rebounds and Ollie White (Minnetrista, MN, Mound-Westonka HS) had seven as the Falcons out rebounded the Hawks 33-22. White also added 15 points.
The first half remained close throughout as the Hawks never had more than a single digit lead. The Hawks hit three three-pointers in the first half and the Falcons only hit three throughout the whole game. Missed three point chances hurt the Falcons all night as they went 3-21 from behind the three-point line.
The Falcons stormed back in the second half as they eventually took a 36-35 lead with just over 15 minutes to play, but they couldn't hold on to it because of back to back turnovers on the following possessions.
Viterbo then went on to take a ten-point lead with 2:20 to play and the Falcons were forced to send the Hawks to the line. Viterbo was able to finish the Falcons off via the free-throw line as they made 84% of their free throws and finished the game with 33 points from behind the line. The Hawks scored 14 of their last 16 points from the free throw line.
Falcon senior Brian Kimble (Stevenson Ranch, CA, Coll. of Canyons JC) had five points, five assists, and four rebounds off the bench.
The Falcons fall to 0-1 to start the season and Viterbo moves to 1-0 after their victory.
The Falcons will now travel to Bethel University for a matchup with Loras College on Friday, November 18th at 6 p.m., and another game on Saturday against an opponent that is yet to be determined.