Shepherd’s 25 Points Help Lady Cougars Outlast Maple Leafs
GOSHEN, Ind. – The Mount Vernon Nazarene University women's basketball team (7-20, 3-14 CL) traveled to Goshen, Indiana to take on the Maple Leafs (4-23, 1-16 CL) of Goshen College in a Crossroads League contest on Wednesday, February 18.
MVNU jumped out to an early 9–3 lead over Goshen just four minutes into the first quarter. Lily Shepherd extended the Lady Cougars' advantage with a three-pointer to make it 18–9. In the final second of the quarter, Melodie Blubaugh knocked down her second three, giving MVNU a 23–13 lead over the Maple Leafs heading into the second.
Two minutes into the second quarter, Anna Swisshelm's free throw pushed the Lady Cougars' lead to 12 — their largest of the game at that point. Goshen responded with a jumper and went on a run to cut the deficit to just three points, 29–26, with three minutes remaining in the half. MVNU responded, scoring seven more points before the break to maintain control, taking a 36–29 lead into halftime.
Goshen opened the third quarter with the first basket, but Kylie Leibacher answered with a jumper, and Angela Roshak followed to keep the Lady Cougars in front, 40–31. The Maple Leafs eventually grabbed their first lead of the game with 3:26 remaining in the quarter. The teams battled back and forth, tying at 46–46 and trading the lead multiple times. MVNU held a slim 52–51 advantage at the end of the third.
Goshen regained the lead early in the fourth quarter, and the teams were tied again at 60-60. With 5:54 remaining, MVNU retook the lead at 62-60 on an Abigail Hardwick layup. Hardwick took over in the fourth, scoring seven straight points and nine total in the quarter. MVNU would win by a final of 70-60, keeping its Crossroads League Tournament hopes alive.
MVNU outrebounded Goshen 31–29 and shot 46% from the field, including an impressive 55.6% (10-18) from beyond the arc. Shepherd was a consistent offensive presence, finishing with 25 points. She went 5-for-6 from three-point range and shot 7-for-15 from the field. Shepherd also had a team-high seven assists. Hardwick had a career-high nine points and five rebounds.
What's Next
The Lady Cougars will take on the Taylor University Trojans on Senior Day in Ariel Arena on Saturday, February 21. Tip-off is set for 1:00 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.