After the visiting Bulldogs (7-8, 1-1 AMC South) took an early 4-3 lead, MVNU (14-1, 2-0 AMC South), which is ranked sixth in the latest NAIA Division II poll, scored 10 straight points to take a 13-4 lead with 15:05 left in the first half. Junior guard Dan Borcherdt (left) and junior wing Andy Francis both nailed a three-pointer during the surge, while senior post Connor Gregg and junior forward Jadin Thomas each added two points apiece.

A quick 6-0 run by Wilbeforce closed the gap to 13-11 at the 12:22 mark and the score stayed close over the next three minutes.

With the Cougars holding a 20-17 advantage, MVNU used a 16-6 surge to take its biggest lead of the game at 36-23 with 3:51 left before the break. Borcherdt led the way with a pair of treys, while sophomore post Bryce Sanborn and freshman guard Brandon Short both added three points apiece.

However, the Bulldogs would not go away as Wilberforce closed the half on an 11-2 run to pull within 38-34 as the teams went to the locker rooms at the break.

Borcherdt led the Cougars with 12 first-half points as he nailed four three-pointers. Gregg added six points and six rebounds as MVNU shot 37.9 percent from the field (11-for-29), 33.3 percent from three-point range (5-for-15), and 50.0 percent from the foul line (11-for-22).

Andre Lyles paced the Bulldogs with 13 points in the first half, while Dwight Cass grabbed eight rebounds. Wilberforce shot 38.2 percent from the field (13-for-34), 25.0 percent from three-point range (2-for-8), and 60.0 percent from the free throw line (6-for-10). The Bulldogs also posted a 26-21 edge in rebounds.

The second half stayed close throughout as the two teams traded baskets with the Cougars maintaining their lead.

With MVNU holding a 65-57 advantage following another three-pointer by Borcherdt with 8:05 to play, Wilberforce went on a 13-4 run to move in front 70-69 as Rawlston Charles nailed a three-pointer at the 3:55 mark. Charles scored seven points and Lyles added six points to fuel the comeback.

Junior guard Ben Falkenberg nailed a pair of free throws with 3:44 to go to put the Cougars back on top 71-70, and MVNU never relinquished the lead again.

With the Cougars holding a slim 73-72 advantage with two minutes remaining, MVNU scored the final seven points of the game as Thomas made two baskets, Falkenberg hit two more free throws, and Francis went 1-for-2 from the line to give the Cougars an 80-72 victory.

“This was a tough-it-out win tonight,” said MVNU head coach Scott Flemming. “(Wilberforce) gave us all that we could handle tonight. Between foul trouble, missing free throws, and giving up twoo many offensive boards, I thought our guys did a good job of coming together and finding a way to win.”

Borcherdt led the Cougars with 20 points as he nailed six three-pointers and dished out five assists. Gregg (right) posted a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds, while Francis and Thomas finished with 12 points and six rebounds each. Falkenberg was held to just eight points by the Wilberforce defense as his school-record streak of scoring in double figures ended at 48 games - dating back to the final three games of his freshman season. Sanborn also contributed seven points and six rebounds off the bench. MVNU shot 41.8 percent from the field (23-for-55), 39.1 percent from three-point range (9-for-23), and 64.1 percent from the free throw line (25-for-39).

Wilberforce was led by Lyles, who scored a game-high 29 points to go with six rebounds. Charles added 17 points and eight rebounds, while Cass posted a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds. The Bulldogs shot 43.1 percent from the field (28-for-65), 31.2 percent from three-point range (5-for-16), and 55.0 percent at the free throw line (11-for-20). Wilberforce held a 43-39 edge in rebounds, but three Bulldogs’ players fouled out.

“Wilberforce brings several difficult match-ups for us,” said Flemming. “I think (Andre) Lyles is one of the best players in our conference. In great seasons, you need some wins like this.”

MVNU will return to action on Tuesday when the Cougars will travel to North Canton to take on NAIA Division II No. 4 Walsh University (13-2, 2-0 AMC South). The AMC South Division contest will get under way at 7:30 p.m.