Lady Cougars Outbattle Mighty Oaks on the Road
OAKLAND CITY, Ind. – The Mount Vernon Nazarene University women's basketball team (8-4) picked up a 79-74 win before Christmas at Oakland City University (5-6) on Tuesday, December 17.
MVNU started strong, jumping to a 24-17 lead after the first quarter of play. MVNU shot 61% in the quarter, getting seven points from Teresa Maggio, six apiece from Serenitee Johnson and Angela Roshak, and five off the bench from Katie Sprang. The second quarter was a defensive battle as both teams struggled to find a rhythm. Despite just nine points in the period, MVNU entered the break holding a 33-28 lead.
The second half started with a quick 5-0 run for the home team, tying the game at 33-33 just thirty seconds into the quarter. Up 39-38, MVNU used a 9-0 scoring run to take a ten-point lead after a Maggio jump shot with 4:30 left in the third. The Might Oaks didn't quit and got right back into the game. An OCU layup cut the MVNU lead to just one, and on the next possession, a three from the hosts gave MVNU its first deficit of the contest at 52-54 with 57 seconds remaining in the third. Naomi Keib sank two free throws at the end of the quarter to deadlock the score at 54-54.
In the fourth, MVNU slowly started to build back its lead. Up 59-58, Maggio converted a big and-one and sank the free throw to put MVNU up four. OCU scored on the next possession, but Maggio responded with another layup. Following a made Mighty Oak jumper, Sprang cashed in a huge three to put MVNU up 67-62 with 6:42 remaining. Things remained tightly contested, but MVNU made the right plays down the stretch to hold on in Oakland City. With its eighth win of the season in 12 games, MVNU is one win off of its win total from the entire 2023-24 season.
Inside the Box Score:
Maggio – 28 points (11-19 FG, 3-7 3PT, 3-4 FT), 2 steals, 2 rebounds, 1 assist.
Johnson – 20 points (7-18 FG, 6-7 FT), 12 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 steals.
Roshak – 19 points (7-10 FG, 5-8 FT), 7 rebounds, 1 block, 1 steal.
Sprang – 8 points (3-6 FG, 2-4 3PT), 4 rebounds.
What's Next:
MVNU will take time off for the holidays and is back in action on January 2 in Ariel Arena against Ohio Christian University 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 33 states and 26 foreign countries.