Women’s Basketball Drops Crossroads League Opener to No. 7 Saint Francis
MOUNT VERNON, Ohio. – The Mount Vernon Nazarene University women's basketball team (4-4, 0-1 CL) started Crossroads League play with the No. 7 University of Saint Francis (7-0, 1-0 CL) at home in Ariel Arena on Wednesday, November 19.
The Lady Cougars of Saint Francis jumped out to an early 10–0 lead in the first quarter. Their advantage grew to eight points by the end of the period, and MVNU trailed 12-20. Six MVNU turnovers in the first quarter helped USF build its lead.
MVNU responded quickly in the second quarter, heating up and cutting the deficit to just one point at 21-22. Key three-point baskets by Kylie Leibacher and Olivia Skillings helped fuel the comeback effort. However, turnovers once again hurt MVNU late in the quarter as Saint Francis went on a 23-5 run. At the half, MVNU found itself down 26-45.
The second half opened with a layup from Angela Roshak, followed shortly by another from Anna Swisshelm at the 8:30 mark, bringing the score to 48-30, USF. Saint Francis continued to control the pace and extended its lead to 22 points by the end of the third quarter at 66–44.
In the fourth quarter, Saint Francis built its largest lead of the game, going up by 37 over MVNU. MVNU fell in the end with a score of 50-86.
24 turnovers by MVNU led to 31 points for USF. Saint Francis also dominated the paint with 46 points and shot 50.8% from the field and 46.7% (7-15) from three. Despite the loss, MVNU outrebounded Saint Francis 32–31. Mount Vernon shot 87% from the free-throw line (7-for-8) and finished with a 39.6% field-goal percentage.
Leibacher led MVNU with 16 points and five rebounds. Lily Shepherd scored nine points. Skillings had seven points, four assists, three rebounds, and two blocks.
What's Next
The Lady Cougars will be on the road traveling to Huntington, Indiana to take on the (RV) Foresters of Huntington University on Saturday, November 22 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 2,200 students from 36 states, 1 U.S. commonwealth and 41 foreign countries.
