Women’s Basketball Stalls in Second Half at No. 13 Rio Grande
RIO GRANDE, Ohio. – The Mount Vernon Nazarene University women's basketball team (4-6) played at No. 13 Rio Grande (7-0) on Wednesday, November 26.
MVNU trailed 8-20 with 3:32 left in the first quarter, but fought back, closing the period on a 16-4 run. Lily Shepherd's three as time expired in the first tied the game at 24-24. MVNU continued its inspired play in the second quarter, keeping up with the Red Storm's high-octane offensive attack. A layup from Olivia Skillings gave MVNU its first lead of the game at 29-28 with 8:48 left in the second. MVNU maintained control and led 43-39 with 4:25 left in the quarter after a Skillings jumper. Rio reclaimed a 48-45 lead, but Shepherd hit another three as time expired, tying the game at 48-48 heading into the half. MVNU shot a blistering 58.8% from the field in the second quarter and was 4-5 from three in the period. Overall, The Lady Cougars were 6-8 from deep in the first half.
An 8-0 surge to start the third quarter put the Red Storm up 56-48 with 8:44 on the clock. MVNU was unable to slow down Rio as it was outscored 31-11 in the quarter. Rio stayed hot in the fourth, outscoring the Lady Cougars 28-13 on its way to a 107-72 win.
MVNU shot 41% from the floor and was 7-18 (38.9%) from three. Rio shot 53.7% from the floor and was 30% (9-30) from deep. The Red Storm dominated the paint by a 62-32 margin.
Kylie Leibacher had 18 points on 7-11 shooting from the floor. Shepherd also had 18 points on 6-14 shooting and 4-7 shooting from three. Skillings had seven points and six assists.
What's Next
MVNU returns to Ariel Arena for Crossroads League play on December 3. Tip-off against (RV) Spring Arbor University is set for 5:00 p.m.
Mount Vernon Nazarene University is a private, 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.