Men’s Basketball Clashes with RV Spring Arbor in Close Battle

MOUNT VERNON, Ohio. —  The Mount Vernon Nazarene University men's basketball team (11-9, 3-7 CL) hosted the (RV) Spring Arbor University Cougars (14-6, 6-4 CL) in a Crossroads League matchup at Ariel Arena on Saturday, January 25.

The game began with both teams exchanging baskets, keeping the score close. Tied at 6-6 with 17:03 on the clock, SAU went on a small run to take a 13-8 lead by the 15:23 mark. Both offenses struggled to find a rhythm, and SAU extended the lead to 17-11 after a basket at 11:56. MVNU narrowed the SAU lead to just two points, 21-19, at 7:44, thanks to a three-pointer from Milton Gage. Later, at the 3:33 mark, Trent Koning hit another three to bring MVNU within one point, 26-25. The Cougars fought hard to close out the first half with a slim 29-28 lead. The opening half was a back-and-forth battle, marked by both teams trading baskets and going on short runs.

The second half began with neither team gaining a clear advantage. With 3:40 left, the score remained locked at 57-57 in a fiercely contested matchup. In the final moments, SAU capitalized on key free-throw opportunities, pulling ahead to claim a hard-fought 68-62 victory over MVNU in a physical showdown at Ariel Arena.

Inside the Box Score

MVNU shot 36.2% from the field (25-69) and hit 25.0% of its three-point attempts (8-32).

SAU shot 52.9% from the field (27-51) and hit 30.0% (6-20) of its three-point attempts.

MVNU forced SAU into 14 turnovers, capitalizing on them to score 10 points.

SAU dominated the boards with a 38-31 edge and tallied 28 points in the paint.

Bailey Conrad – 19 points (8-19 FG, 3-10 3PT), 1 rebound, 1 assist.

Gage – 12 points (4-11 FG, 2-6 3PT, 2-2 FT), 9 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 steals

Koning – 10 points (4-16 FG, 2-9 3PT), 2 rebounds, 1 assist,

Carter Jones – 10 points (5-7 FG), 7 rebounds, 1 block.

Isaiah Brown – 6 points (2-6 FG, 2-2 FT), 4 rebounds.

Coach Ronai's Thoughts

"That was a tough, grind-it-out Crossroads League game. The second half was a one-possession game the majority of the time and we just couldn't get that next big play to get it to two possessions. Credit Spring Arbor, they are an elite defensive team and made things difficult at times. Our group is resilient. We will get better next week."

What's Next

The men's basketball team is set to face the Taylor University Trojans in Crossroads League action in Ariel Arena on Wednesday, January 29. The game will tip off at 7:00 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.