The host Cougars (8-3) got off to a fast start as MVNU built a quick 19-5 lead over the first seven minutes as senior guard Ben Falkenberg scored eight quick points and senior forward Jadin Thomas (left) added six points of his own.

After the visiting Lords (5-3) pulled within 25-15 following a pair of free throws by Bryan Yelvington at the 8:12 mark, the Cougars used a 20-8 run over the remainder of the half to take a commanding 45-23 lead to the locker room at the break.

Falkenberg led MVNU with 10 points and six assists in the first-half alone, while Thomas added nine points and seven rebounds. The Cougars shot a blistering 60.0 percent from the field (18-for-30), 60.0 percent from three-point range (6-for-10), and 75.0 percent from the free throw line (3-for-4). MVNU also out-rebounded Kenyon 18-11 and committed just seven first-half turnovers.

Yelvington led the Lords with 11 first-half points, while Dave Knapke tossed in eight points to go with four rebounds. Kenyon shot 38.5 percent from the field (10-for-26), missed all six of its three-point attempts, and hit on 75.0 percent of its free throw attempts (3-for-4).

The Lords tried to mount a comeback to open the second half as Kenyon used a quick 8-2 run to close the gap to 47-31 as Yelvington and J.T. Knight both scored three early points.

However, with the score 52-35 at the 13:31 mark, the Cougars went on a 32-8 run over the next nine minutes to build a commanding 84-43 advantage as MVNU would go on to post the 88-53 victory.

“It was good to have some time to prepare for Kenyon this week,” said MVNU coach Scott Flemming. “We knew their strength was inside, so we adjusted our defense to double their post players. We also did a better job of really pressuring the basketball. I thought we were really unselfish on the offensive end as well. This was another night where we had good play from our bench. We’re just trying to stay consistent in our play.”

Thomas led the Cougars with 14 points and seven rebounds, while Falkenberg added 13 points and matched his career high with eight assists. Freshman guard Robbie Taylor (right) and junior wing Travis Brown both tossed in 10 points apiece off the bench, and senior guard Dan Borcherdt nailed a trio of three-pointers for nine points. Junior center Bryce Sanborn and sophomore guard Brandon Short also finished with eight points apiece. MVNU shot 58.9 percent from the field (33-for-56), 45.0 percent from three-point range (9-for-20), and 86.7 percent at the free throw line (13-for-15) while holding a 32-24 advantage in rebounds.

Yelvington led all scorers with 16 points for Kenyon, while Knapke added 11 points and five rebounds. The Lords shot 42.9 percent from the field (21-for-49), 25.0 percent from three-point range (3-for-12), and 50.0 percent from the free throw line (8-for-16).

The Cougars will be back in action on Monday night when MVNU will host Ohio State University-Marion in a non-conference game that will tip off at 7:30 p.m. That game has been designated as Knox County Night with all Knox County residents being admitted free.