LA CROSSE, Wis. - Despite a team-best 14 points from junior guard Kayla Crist of Stanwood, the Ashford University (6-5 overall) women's basketball team suffered its first Midwest Collegiate Conference loss at the hands of Viterbo University, 66-60.

The Saints dropped to 1-1 in conference play, one game removed after an MCC-opening victory against Clarke College earlier in the week. The V-Hawks (4-6, 1-0 MCC) successfully defended their home court in their league debut.

"I thought today was a well-played game, we maybe didn't shoot as well as we should have, but we had our chances throughout," AU Head Coach Chris Powers said. "Next week is finals and we'll look to get rested up and come out to try and start a new win streak at the Crimson Wave Invite on Friday."

In a game that featured a series of runs, AU ended the first half on a 14-3 run to lead 35-32 at halftime. The run came after Viterbo held a six-point advantage with just under six minutes remaining.

With the two teams see-sawing back and forth to open the second half, the V-Hawks grabbed the lead for good at the 16:22 mark after a jumper by VU's Dani Templin.

Templin led all scorers with 18 points and Australian center Katina Mandylaris contributed 15 points, nine rebounds and three blocked shots.

Crist scored nine of her team-high total in points in the first half and scored her 14 points in as many minutes of playing time.

Senior forward Bethany Mahmens of Goose Lake inched closer to the 1,000-point career club with a nine-point effort at the forward position.

Coming into the game, she was just 15 points shy of eclipsing the milestone and will get her next shot next Friday at the Crimson Wave Invite hosted by Calumet College of St. Joseph.

The Saints were able to shoot over 44 percent from the field in the first 20 minutes, but labored through a 33.3-percent clip in the second half.

Ashford plays Mid-Continent University (Ky.) to open the Crimson Wave Invite in Whiting, Ind., before facing off against CCSJ or Marygrove College (Mich.) on Saturday afternoon.