It took a couple minutes for MVNU (9-0) to get going as the host Lords (2-6) scored the first basket of the game at the 18:24 mark. However, a layup by senior center Connor Gregg and a steal and three-pointer by Falkenberg (left) set the Cougars off and running as MVNU built a 54-30 lead by the half.

Falkenberg finished with 26 points in the first half as he went 7-for-9 from the field including 5-of-7 from beyond the arc. He also hit all seven of his free throw attempts. Junior forward Jadin Thomas added nine points, and Gregg finished with eight points. The Cougars missed just eight shots in the first half as they shot a blistering 70.4 percent from the field (19-for-27), 66.7 percent from three-point range (6-for-9), and 83.3 percent from the free throw line (10-for-12).

Bryan Yelvington led the Lords with 13 first-half points, while David Jolson tossed in six points. Kenyon shot 40.0 percent from the field (10-for-25), 11.1 percent from three-point range (1-for-9), and 75.0 percent at the free throw line (9-for-12). The Lords also committed 11 first-half turnovers.

The two teams traded baskets for most of the second half with MVNU equaling its biggest lead of the game at 76-50 following a three-pointer by junior guard Dan Borcherdt with 6:26 to play.

However, Kenyon responded with a 16-2 run over the next four minutes to pull within 78-66 with 2:43 still on the clock. Jim Arce came off the bench to nail a pair of three-pointers, and David Jolson and Korey Haddox each scored four points apiece to fuel the Lords’ comeback.

That would be as close as Kenyon would get, though, as both teams managed just one basket each the rest of the way as the Cougars posted the 80-68 victory for the team’s ninth straight win.

“We had a strong first half offensively,” said MVNU head coach Scott Flemming. “We were scoring on the fastbreak and in our halfcourt sets. We struggled with Yelvington in the post. He is a very good player. (Kenyon) played very well in the second half, but we did what we needed to do to secure the win. We still have areas to improve in, and that’s not a bad place to be when you’re 9-0.”

Falkenberg, who was selected as the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, finished 8-for-15 from the field overall including a 5-for-10 showing from three-point range. He also went 9-for-9 at the free throw line to registered his 30 points. Thomas and Gregg (right) contributed 15 and 14 points respectively as they joined Falkenberg on the All-Tournament Team with Gregg leading the team with six rebounds. Borcherdt also handed out a game-high seven assists, while Falkenberg added five more assists. The Cougars shot 56.9 percent from the field (29-for-51), 47.1 percent from three-point range (8-for-17), and 14-for-17 from the free throw line (82.4 percent).

Yelvington led the Lords with 21 points and 11 rebounds, while Dave Knapke grabbed 12 rebounds to go with seven points as both players earned a spot on the All-Tournament Team. Jolson also finished with 15 points, while Korey Haddox tossed in eight points. Kenyon shot 42.6 percent from the field (26-for-61), 18.2 percent from three-point range (4-for-22), and 75.0 percent at the free throw line (12-for-16).

MVNU will now take the next week off for final exams before returning to the court on Monday, December 17, when the Cougars will host Houghton (N.Y.) College in a non-conference game at 7:30 p.m. That game has been designated as Knox County Night with all Knox County residents being admitted free.