WMVO Good Times Great Oldies
SOUTHFIELD, Mich. – The Mount Vernon Nazarene University women’s basketball team (1-0) opened its season at Lawrence Tech University (0-1) on Tuesday, October 28.
Lawrence Tech started the game strong and ended the first quarter up 15-12. After an even second quarter between the two teams, LTU took a 31-27 lead into halftime. The Blue Devils capitalized on MVNU’s 15 first half turnovers, as well as its six offensive rebounds. Of the 31 LTU points in the first half, 27 came off turnovers and second chance points.
MVNU reclaimed a lead with Naomi Keib’s layup early in the third quarter to make the score 32-31. A three by LTU with 1:50 left in the third put it back on top 38-37. The would be the last lead LTU held, however, as MVNU began to take control. After three, MVNU led 41-38. In the fourth, MVNU saw its largest lead of the game after Anna Swisshelm’s layup put the Lady Cougars up 49-42. The Blue Devils didn’t quit and battled back to cut MVNU’s lead to 52-50 with 43 seconds left. Angela Roshak came up big in the clutch with a layup to put MVNU up 54-50 with 28 seconds left. The Lady Cougars held on and would go on to win 56-52. The victory was the first at MVNU for new head coach, Lauryn VanHoose.
MVNU controlled the glass, outrebounding the hosts 43-26 in the game. MVNU also locked it down on defense, holding LTU to just 28.1% shooting from the field. Kylie Leibacher led MVNU with 14 points and nine rebounds in her MVNU debut. Roshak had 12 points, six rebounds and six blocks. Swisshelm had 10 points on 4-7 shooting to go with four boards.
Coach VanHoose’s Thoughts
“Super proud of this team for fighting till the end and finding a way to win! Every game will be a different challenge where we have to learn and get better. Tonight we were able to do that and come out on top.”
What’s Next
MVNU will head to Bourbonnais, Illinois for the Chick-Fil-A Classic on October 31-November 1. MVNU takes on (RV) Governors State University on Friday at 6:00 p.m. and then plays (RV) Olivet Nazarene University the following day at 3:00 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.