Women’s Basketball Closes Season with Thrilling Win over (RV) Taylor on Senior Day
MOUNT VERNON, Ohio. – The Mount Vernon Nazarene University women's basketball team (8-20, 4-14 CL) hosted (RV) Taylor University (17-11, 7-11 CL) on its senior day on Saturday, February 21 in Ariel Arena.
Taylor got off to a fast start, using it to put up 26 first quarter points on 57.9% shooting from the floor. The hot shooting for Taylor continued in the second quarter and it took a 49-40 lead into halftime. The Trojans shot 57.9% in the first half and hit four threes. Coming out of halftime, MVNU picked up its defensive intensity, forcing the Trojans into tough shots. Trailing 45-51 with 8:35 left in the third, MVNU went on a 7-0 run to take a one-point lead with 6:32 remaining in the third after an Abigail Hardwick layup plus a foul. At the end of the third quarter, Anna Swisshelm made a layup as time expired to tie the game at 63-63. MVNU held Taylor to just 28.6% shooting from the floor and 20% shooting from three in the third quarter.
In the fourth, MVNU trailed 64-68, but used a 6-0 run to take the lead after a Lily Shepherd three to make the score 70-67, Lady Cougars. While the score remained tight, MVNU did not trail from that point on. Leading 78-77, Swisshelm made a layup, followed by a floater from Hardwick in the lane with 2:00 minutes left to extend its lead to five. Up 84-82, Hardwick split a pair of free throws with eight seconds left, putting MVNU up 85-82. Taylor grabbed the rebound off the miss, pushed it up the court and heaved a long three to try and tie the game, but the shot went off the back rim and out, giving the Lady Cougars the 85-82 win on senior day.
Senior, Angela Roshak, had a huge day, finishing with 22 points, six rebounds, and a block. Kylie Leibacher also led MVNU with 22 points, six assists, and three rebounds. Swisshelm added 12 points and five rebounds off the bench. The win concludes the 2025-26 season for MVNU.
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.
