Men's Basketball Starts West Coast Trip with Win Over Pioneers

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The Mount Vernon Nazarene University men's basketball team (6-5) began its California trip with a matchup at the Pacific Union College Pioneers (1-8) on Friday, December 13.

The first half opened with both teams trading baskets, evening the score at 2-2. Pacific Union then launched a scoring run, establishing a seven-point lead by the 17:30 mark, and by the 10:11 mark, Pacific Union held a narrow 26-22 advantage over MVNU. The Cougars claimed their first lead of the game with 3:24 left in the half. At the break, MVNU led 42-39 in a tightly contested first half.

Pacific Union started the second half with an impressive nine-point surge, grabbing a 48-42 advantage at the 17:45 mark. MVNU countered, trimming the gap to a single point at 52-51 with 15:02 left on the clock. The Pioneers countered MVNU's offensive spurt with a big run of their own, building an eight-point lead at 61-53 with 12:33 left on the clock. MVNU battled back to tie the game at 74 with 5:44 left on the clock. An 8-0 run for MVNU put the game away, putting it up 82-74 with 3:46 remaining after a Bailey Conrad three.

Inside the Box Score:

MVNU posted a shooting percentage of 47.8%, making 32 of 67 field goal attempts, and 44.0% from beyond the arc, converting 11 of 25 three-pointers in the game.

Pacific Union achieved a shooting accuracy of 49.2% from the field, making 30 of 61 attempts, and hit 34.6% of their three-point shots, converting 9 of 26 attempts.

MVNU outscored Pacific Union 23-10 in points off the bench, providing a significant boost to the Cougar offense.

MVNU had 16 assists to just 6 turnovers.

MVNU's defense forced eight turnovers from the Pioneers, resulting in 14 points off those turnovers for MVNU.

Conrad – 23 points (8-15 FG, 3-6 3PT, 4-4 FT), 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block.

Koning – 23 points (7-19 FG, 3-9 3PT, 6-7 FT), 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals.

Carter Jones – 14 points (6-9 FG, 1-2 3PT, 1-2 FT), 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block, 1 steal.

Isaiah Brown – 13 points (5-8 FG, 1-1 3PT, 2-2 FT), 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal.

Coach Ronai's Thoughts:

"Our guys found a way today. True road games are difficult and PUC is a unique place to play and they played well today. We responded well and executed down the stretch. Looking forward to getting better tomorrow."

What's Next:

The men's basketball team will continue their California trip with a matchup against the Cal Maritime Keelhaulers on Saturday, Dec. 14, at the PEAC Main Gym in Vallejo, Calif. The game is set to tip off at 8 p.m. EST.

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 36 states and 26 foreign countries.