Lady Cougars Start New Year with Win over Ohio Christian
MOUNT VERNON, Ohio. – The Mount Vernon Nazarene University women's basketball team (9-4) opened the New Year with a 69-58 win over Ohio Christian University (8-8) on Thursday, January 2 in Ariel Arena.
MVNU opened the game on a 7-0 run and held a 10-3 lead with 7:16 remaining in the first quarter. OCU responded with a 7-0 run of its own to tie the game with 4:17 left in the quarter. The contest remained tight in the first half and eventually saw the guests on the scoreboard slowly take and build a lead. After a made OCU layup, MVNU faced its largest deficit of the game, trailing 25-31 with three minutes left before halftime. Naomi Keib responded in a big way for the Lady Cougars, nailing a three with 2:10 on the clock and then hitting another one right before the halftime buzzer to tie the game up at 31-31.
In the third, MVNU was able to build a lead and led 47-42 after a Teresa Maggio layup off an assist from Emily Walker. OCU battled back and evened up the score at 48-48 heading in the final 10 minutes of play. Maggio took over in the fourth quarter, scoring 15 points in the period on 5-9 shooting from the floor and 2-3 shooting from deep. With Maggio leading the charge to end the game, MVNU built a 66-50 lead, its largest of the game, with 3:07 left. MVNU would go on to win 69-58. With the win, MVNU tied its win total from last season with 14 games remaining.
Inside the Box Score
MVNU shot 39.7% from the floor and hit 7 threes in the game (33.3%).
MVNU played lockdown defense, holding OCU to 30% shooting from the floor and 16% (4-25) from three.
The Lady Cougars won the rebounding battle, outgaining OCU 50-44. MVNU had 13 offensive rebounds that led to 10 points.
MVNU forced 16 turnovers and scored 21 points off them.
MVNU had 20 bench points in the game.
Maggio – 30 points (10-23 FG, 3-6 3PT, 7-11 FT), 8 rebounds, 4 steals, 3 assists.
Serenitee Johnson – 13 points (6-13 FG, 1-2 3PT), 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, 1 block.
Keib – 10 points (4-6 FG, 2-3 3PT), 7 rebounds, 2 assists.
Angela Roshak – 6 points (3-7 FG), 5 rebounds, 1 block.
Katie Sprang – 3 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 block.
What's Next
MVNU hosts Bethel University in a conference matchup in Ariel Arena on Saturday, January 4 at 1:00 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.
