MVNU (21-5, 8-4 AMC South), which received votes in the latest NAIA Division II poll, came out on fire to start the game as the Cougars made 18-of-29 field goal attempts in the first half (62.1 percent) including a 6-for-13 showing from beyond the three-point arc (46.2 percent) on the way to a 44-30 halftime lead. MVNU trailed for just two possessions in the game and led by as many as 19 points in the first half.

Junior forward Jadin Thomas (left) led the Cougars in the first half as he went 7-for-8 from the field and nailed both of his three-point attempts and free throw attempts for 18 points. Junior guard Ben Falkenberg also tossed in 14 points in the first half as he went 4-for-6 from three-point range and also dished out five assists.

Allen Drake paced the host Blue Knights (5-21, 3-9 AMC South) with 15 points in the first half as he hit all six of his field goal attempts. Julian Bernard also tossed in seven points. Urbana shot 40.7 percent from the field (11-for-27), just 12.5 percent from three-point range (1-for-8), and 87.5 percent from the free throw line (7-for-8).

MVNU expanded its lead to 54-34 three and a half minutes into the second half as Falkenberg and junior guard Dan Borcherdt nailed back-to-back three-pointers.

The Blue Knights did not give up, though, as Urbana used a 16-6 run to close the gap to 60-50 with 10:52 to play. Bernard led the comeback with eight points, while Charles Jefferson added six points.

However, the Cougars maintained their comfortable lead as Falkenberg, Thomas, and Borcherdt hit consecutive treys and freshman guard Brandon Short (right) went 2-for-2 at the free throw line and threw down a two-handed slam off a steal to give MVNU a 73-50 advantage with 7:00 remaining.

From that point on, the Cougars led by at least 15 points and as much as 23 points on one more occasion before settling for the 87-69 victory.

“This was a solid game from beginning to end,” said MVNU head coach Scott Flemming. “We made several runs and then sustained control of the game. We did a great job on their inside game, but we struggled defensively with their quickness on the perimeter.”

Falkenberg (left) finished with a game-high 24 points as he went 6-for-10 from three-point range to go with five assists. Thomas added 23 points, 10 rebounds, and a career-high six blocked shots, while Borcherdt contributed 11 points and four assists. Senior post Connor Gregg also scored 10 points, and Short tossed in eight points off the bench as he went 3-for-3 from the field. The Cougars shot 56.1 percent from the field (32-for-57), 50.0 percent from three-point range (13-for-26), and 76.9 percent from the free throw line (10-for-13).

“It was good to see four players in double figures,” said Flemming. “We were very efficient offensively today. This is the right time of the year to be playing well. We had a great week and now we need to finish strong.”

Urbana was led by Bernard with 20 points, while Drake added 17 points, eight rebounds, and four steals. Jefferson also contributed 12 points and five assists. The Blue Knights shot 44.6 percent from the field (25-for-56), 35.3 percent from three-point range (6-for-17), and 72.2 percent from the free throw line (13-for-18).

MVNU will return to action on Tuesday when the Cougars will host the University of Rio Grande in another AMC South Division game that will tip off at 7:30 p.m. Prior to that game, Gregg and fellow senior Evan Yates will be honored as they play in the final regular-season home game of their careers.