Bethel Surges Past Lady Cougars in Second Half
MISHAWAKA, Ind. – The Mount Vernon Nazarene University women's basketball team (5-12, 1-6 CL) hit the road to Mishawaka, Indiana for a Crossroads League contest at Bethel University (12-5, 3-4 CL) on Saturday, January 10.
MVNU and Bethel played a close first half as neither team could gain much separation from the other. Bethel led for much of the first 20 minutes and would take a 37-33 lead into halftime. MVNU conceded a Bethel run in the third quarter, getting outscored 15-5. MVNU trailed 39-52 with 4:02 left in the third. MVNU trailed 44-55 with 2:11 left in the quarter but went on a 5-0 run to close the gap heading into the fourth.
MVNU continued to chip away, cutting the Bethel lead to 53-55 with 8:25 remaining in the game after layups from Angela Roshak and Kylie Leibacher. Bethel didn't flinch however to MVNU's spurt, responding with a 12-0 run to take a 67-53 lead and control of the game. The Lady Cougars were unable to regain any momentum and fell by a final score of 79-59 on the road.
MVNU shot 39.2% from the field in the game and 29.2% (7-24) from three. The Lady Cougars struggled to take care of the ball, finishing with 23 turnovers that led to 19 Bethel points. Bethel was highly efficient on the offensive end of the floor, shooting 45% from the field and 35% (7-20) from three. The Pilots had 19 assists to just 13 turnovers. Despite the loss, MVNU won the rebound battle 32-30.
Kylie Leibacher led MVNU with 15 points on 7-14 shooting from the field. Lily Shepherd added 14 points and four assists. Melodie Blubaugh had 11 points off the bench on 4-6 shooting from the floor and 3-5 shooting from three.
What's Next
MVNU hosts Goshen College on Wednesday, January 14 in Ariel Arena. Tip-off is set for 5:00 p.m.
Mount Vernon Nazarene University is a private, 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 2,200 students from 36 states, 1 U.S. commonwealth and 41 foreign countries.