Weakley’s Late Heroics Lead Women’s Basketball to Victory over Trojans
MOUNT VERNON, Ohio. — The Mount Vernon Nazarene University women's basketball team (13-8, 5-6) got a nail-biting conference victory over the Taylor University Trojans (6-15, 1-10) in Ariel Arena by a score of 80-78 on Wednesday, January 29.
Taylor started strong, jumping out to a 14-10 lead in the first quarter. Teresa Maggio came out hot, scoring eight points in the first quarter. After one, MVNU found itself trailing 14-16.
The second quarter was all Taylor. The guests lit it up in from the field, shooting 52.6% from the floor and 62.5% (5-8) from three. Taylor outscored MVNU in the quarter 28-17. At the half, the Lady Cougars trailed Taylor 31-44.
The Trojans had their largest lead of 15 points early in the third quarter, but the Lady Cougars didn't back down and began to chip away. MVNU reclaimed the lead with 2:25 left in the third quarter after an Angela Roshak layup. Taylor responded with a 5-0 run and entered the final quarter up on the hosts 61-56.
Trailing 65-70 with 3:42 left in the game, Megan Weakley checked in and gave MVNU the spark it needed. Weakley immediately made a layup, cutting Taylor's lead to three. Trailing 69-74 after a pair of free throws, Weakley hit a three to bring MVNU within two. With 1:15 left in the game, MVNU got the stop it needed. Emily Walker then found Weakley open for a three from the right wing. The shot hit nothing but the bottom of the net, giving MVNU a 75-74 advantage. MVNU got consecutive stops defensively and continued to pad its lead with free throws, one from Katie Sprang and two from Weakley to take a 78-74 lead. Taylor would score with six seconds left, but Weakley iced the game after being fouled and sinking two more from the line. MVNU would go on to win 80-78, with Weakley scoring all 12 of her points in the last 3:42 of the game.
Inside the Box Score
For the game, MVNU shot 54% from the floor while holding Taylor to 39% shooting.
MVNU finished the night with 23 assists.
MVNU dominated the paint, outscoring Taylor 52-20. MVNU outrebounded the Trojans 39-36 as well.
Maggio - 19 points (9-17 FG, 1-4 3PT), 5 assists, 3 steals
Roshak - 18 points (7-9 FG, 4-6 FT), 14 rebounds, 5 blocks 2 steals
Sprang - 16 points (7-13 FG, 1-5 3PT, 1-2 FT), 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal
Serenitee Johnson - 15 points (7-13 FG, 1-2 FT), 4 rebounds, 2 assists
Weakley - 12 points (3-3 FG, 2-2 3PT, 4-4 FT), 2 blocks 1 rebound, 1 assist
What's Next
The Lady Cougars will be traveling to Goshen, Indiana on Saturday, February 1 to take on Goshen College 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.
