Johnson’s Career Day Leads MVNU to Big Road Win at (RV) Huntington
HUNTINGTON, Ind. – The Mount Vernon Nazarene University women's basketball team (6-4, 2-2 CL) picked up a big road victory at Huntington University (5-5, 1-3 CL) on Saturday, December 7.
Huntington, who entered the game receiving votes nationally, took control early and was firing on all cylinders offensively in the first quarter, putting up 30 points on 55% shooting from the field and 5-11 shooting from deep. Trailing 22-30 entering the second quarter, MVNU saw the hosts continue to be hot from the field and build a 42-28 lead. Despite the offensive onslaught from the Foresters, MVNU began to chip away at the deficit and found itself down 46-53 at halftime.
In the second half, MVNU's defense began to tighten up, holding Huntington to just eight points and 20% shooting from the floor. After a 16-point first half, Serenitee Johnson scored six in the period to give MVNU a 63-61 lead. Things remained tight in the final quarter until Huntington used a 6-0 run to take a 77-71 lead with 3:50 left in the game. With the score 72-79, MVNU didn't quit and went on a 7-0 run to tie things up after two free throws by Teresa Maggio. After a Huntington free throw put it up by one, Johnson was fouled and calmly sank both free throws to give MVNU the lead with 52 seconds left.
After a stop of defense, Megan Weakley hit the biggest shot of the game, a three from the left wing to extend MVNU's lead to four. The Lady Cougars went on to win by a final of 89-85, largely to Johnson's career-high 34 points and 17 rebounds. The freshman was 10-23 from the floor and 13-15 from the line and had 12 points in the final quarter to give MVNU the league win on the road.
Inside the Box Score:
Johnson – 34 points (10-23 FG, 1-4 3PT, 13-15 FT), 17 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, 1 block.
Maggio – 25 points (9-18 FG, 1-4 3PT, 6-7 FT), 3 rebounds, 3 steals, 1 assist.
Weakley – 12 points (3-11 FG, 2-5 3PT, 4-4 FT), 5 rebounds.
Angela Roshak – 9 points (2-5 FG, 5-5 FT), 4 rebounds.
Emily Walker – 5 points (2-3 FG, 1-1 3PT), 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal.
Coach Short's Thoughts:
"I'm very proud of the way we bounced back after Wednesday. This was the definition of a GRIT win. It was great to see the way we responded after halftime and came out and defended the third quarter! Serenitee was unreal in this game on both ends. It's a huge road win for us that we will build on."
What's Next:
MVNU heads to Grayson, Kentucky on December 13 for a road contest at Kentucky Christian at 1:00 p.m.
Mount Vernon Nazarene University is a private, four-year, intentionally Christian teaching university for traditional age students, graduate students, and working adults. With a 327-acre main campus in Mount Vernon, Ohio, MVNU emphasizes academic excellence, spiritual growth, and service to community and church. MVNU offers an affordable education both in-seat and online to nearly 2,100 students from 22 states and 21 foreign countries.