Lady Cougars Continue Strong Play at Home with Conference Win over Bethel

MOUNT VERNON, Ohio. — The Mount Vernon Nazarene University women's basketball team (10-4, 3-2) resumed conference play against Bethel University (7-7, 1-4) on Saturday, January 4 and extended its winning streak to five games with a 77-57 victory. 

The Lady Pilots initially took the lead over MVNU with a quick 4-0 spurt, but MVNU would quickly recover and begin to build a lead. Off the bench, Katie Sprang started off hot from beyond the arc, hitting back-to-back threes to give MVNU a 15-9 lead. After the first 10 minutes of play, MVNU held a 20-13 advantage over Bethel. The Lady Cougars continued to build their lead in the second quarter and would go up by as many as 14. As the first half came to a close, the hosts held a 39-29 lead. 

The second half saw the Lady Cougars open with a 6-0 run to take a 45-29 lead. MVNU took advantage of its strong defensive effort, turning its stops in the third quarter into quality looks in transition.  MVNU displayed crisp ball movement in the second half, and surged to its largest lead of the game, a 26-point advantage, bringing the score to 69-43 in the fourth quarter. MVNU went on to win its 10th game of the season by a final of 77-57. 

Inside the Box Score 

MVNU shot 46.3% from the field and 32.1% (9-28) from three. The Lady Cougars held Bethel to 33.8% shooting overall and just 27.3% from three. 

The Lady Cougars had 23 assists to just 11 turnovers. 

MVNU outrebound Bethel 45-39. MVNU also dominated inside, finishing with 42 points in the paint compared to just 22 for the guests. 

MVNU's bench came away with 28 points. 

Teresa Maggio - 24 points (9-23 FG, 3-8 3PT, 3-4 FT) 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals. 

Sprang - 13 points (5-9 FG, 3-6 3PT) 3 rebounds, 2 assists. 

Serenitee Johnson - 12 points (6-9 FG) 6 rebounds, 9 assists, 2 steals. 

Naomi Keib - 8 points (3-6 FG, 1-2 3PT, 1-2 FT) 3 rebounds, 1 block. 

What's Next 

MVNU travels to Fort Wayne, Indiana to take on the No. 11 Lady Cougars of Saint Francis on Wednesday, January 8 at 5:00 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.