Men’s Basketball Delivers Offensive Showcase in Homecoming Win

MOUNT VERNON, Ohio. —  The Mount Vernon Nazarene University men's basketball team (2-0) took on the Trinity Christian College Trolls (2-1) at Ariel Arena on Friday, November 8, kicking off its weekend Homecoming Classic.

In the first half, the Cougars quickly jumped to a 5-0 lead before Trinity Christian answered with a 5-0 run of its own. MVNU responded with a six-point spurt, pushing the score to 13-7. The Trolls kept fighting, eventually taking a 17-15 lead at the 11:05 mark. MVNU then secured its largest lead of the half, going up by 10 points at 42-32 with 4:07 remaining. The half ended with MVNU ahead, 52-42.

In the second half, the Cougars offense kept the momentum going, extending their lead to 20 points at the 10:14 mark with a three-pointer from Peyton Heiss. Trent Koning and Isaiah Brown had standout offensive performances, combining for 48 points of the Cougars' total. The game ended in a decisive victory, with the Cougars winning 101-80 on Homecoming.

Inside the Box Score:

MVNU delivered a great shooting performance, making 52.9% of its field goal attempts (36-68) and converting 34.6% (9-26) from beyond the arc in the game.

MVNU moved the ball offensively, finding the open man and finishing with 23 assists to just 11 turnovers.

Trinity Christian shot 47.6% from the field (30-63) and hit 39.3% (11-28) of its three-point attempts.

MVNU controlled the paint, outscoring Trinity Christian 40-26. The Cougars also capitalized on the Trolls' 16 turnovers, turning them into 20 points.

Koning – 27 points (8-14 FG, 4-6 3PT, 7-8 FT), 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block.

Brown – 21 points (9-15 FG, 3-3 FT), 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals.

Bailey Conrad – 12 points (5-7 FG, 2-2 FT), 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 block.

Milton Gage – 10 points (4-6 FG, 1-1 3PT, 1-1 FT), 7 assists, 3 rebounds, 3 steals.

Coach Ronai's Thoughts:

"The Friday night homecoming game is always special. Grateful to our alumni who came out tonight. We did some good things on the offensive end but much to improve upon defensively. We have a big challenge tomorrow in SMWC. I want to congratulate our three new Wall of Fame members in Riley Swanson, Mitchell Soviak, and especially Phil Aregento who was a member of our men's basketball program in the early 2000s. He was one of the all-time great three-point shooters in college basketball history. It was a great night inside of Ariel."

What's Next:

Men's basketball will wrap up the Homecoming Classic on Saturday, November 9, with the Cougars taking on Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College at 3:00 p.m. in Ariel Arena.

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.