Brown Reaches Career-High in Points in Thrilling Win Over Oakland City

MOUNT VERNON, Ohio. – The Mount Vernon Nazarene University men's basketball team (4-0) hosted Oakland City University (0-2) for its second game in the MVNU Classic on Saturday, November 8 at Ariel Arena. 

Oakland City pulled ahead early in the first half with consecutive layups, making the score 6-4. The Cougars picked up momentum to keep up with Oakland City, tying the game several times. Later in the first half, Oakland City would come to carry a narrow lead until a Devin Dreier three pointer, which allowed MVNU to take a one-point lead of 33-32 in the game with 4:23 left in the first half. With Trent Koning's jump shot with 33 seconds on the clock and Isaiah Brown's two made free throws, MVNU would secure the 46-42 lead into the second half. 

Oakland City came out strong in the second half, having a ten-point lead of 65-55 after a made three pointer by Kalik Sharpe with 13:20 left on the clock. MVNU battled back, tying the game up late in the second half with a good free throw from Brown. Peyton Heiss took the 79-76 lead for MVNU with a three pointer at 5:54, and Koning added three free throws to extend MVNU's lead to 82-78 with 5:27. Oakland City tied the game back up at 84-84 with a layup from Chris Grubbs, and Johnathan Claxton made one free throw, giving Oakland a one-point lead with 2:42 left to play. A three-pointer from Heiss would bring MVNU to the lead, which would be carried to the final score of 92-85. 

Brown led the Cougar offense by scoring his career-high of 27 points. Brown was also eight of 13 from the field, had five rebounds, and two steals. Koning and Dreier added 17 points each for MVNU. Koning went eight for eight at the free throw line, had four steals, and led in assists with seven assists. Dreier was six of 11 from the field, had two assists, and two rebounds. 

The Cougars shot 46.8% from the field, 40% (10-25) from the arc, and 85.7% from the free-throw line. MVNU had 37 rebounds and caused 15 turnovers, scoring 32 points off them. 

Coach Ronai's Thoughts 

"It was good for our young guys to feel a game like that today. Oakland City is physical and extremely athletic. We lived into our unbreakable spirit value to fight back from a double-digit deficit in the second half and execute real situations down the stretch. Obviously, we have a ways to go to figuring ourselves out with such a youthful group. Excited to get better Monday." 

What's Next 

The Cougars will next travel on Wednesday, November 12 to play Michigan-Dearborn with a tip-off time of 7:30 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 2,200 students from 36 states, 1 U.S. commonwealth and 41 foreign countries.