LA CROSSE, Wis. — Indiana University Northwest stayed within striking distance through the first half but could not overcome a cold-shooting third quarter, falling 79–61 to Viterbo University on Wednesday evening at R.W. Beggs Sr. Gymnasium.

The RedHawks kept pace early, trading baskets and defensive stops through the opening quarter. Ava Kingery provided a spark in the second quarter, knocking down three 3-pointers during a stretch that saw IU Northwest briefly take the lead at 29–25. Diamond Howell contributed off the bench with strong drives to the rim, and the RedHawks closed the half shooting 42.9 percent in the period, trailing by just two at the break, 36–34.

Momentum shifted coming out of halftime as Viterbo seized control with a decisive third-quarter run. The V-Hawks attacked the paint and cleaned up the glass, while IU Northwest struggled to find rhythm offensively, shooting just 13.3 percent from the field in the quarter and going 0-for-4 from beyond the arc. Viterbo used a 20–11 surge to create separation and carried a double-digit advantage into the final period.

IU Northwest continued to compete in the fourth, but timely perimeter shooting by the hosts halted any comeback attempt. Viterbo connected on three 3-pointers down the stretch to keep the RedHawks at bay and close out the home win.

EJ Brown-Griffin led IU Northwest with 15 points, six rebounds and two blocks, while Kingery finished with 14 points, four rebounds and two assists, knocking down four 3-pointers to move into the top 10 of the RedHawks' single-season record book for made triples. Howell added 12 points and four rebounds off the bench, and Gracie Little contributed eight points and three assists. IU Northwest shot 30.5 percent from the field and 28.0 percent from beyond the arc, was outrebounded 38–22, and was outscored 32–22 in the paint, while converting 69.2 percent from the free-throw line in the loss.

IU Northwest returns to action Saturday, Jan. 24, to play Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights, Ill.