Senior forward Jadin Thomas (left) and senior guard Dan Borcherdt both nailed a three-pointer and junior post Bryce Sanborn and senior guard Ben Falkenberg added a basket apiece as MVNU (3-0) jumped out to a quick 10-0 lead two minutes into the game.

After the Racers (2-2) pulled within 20-11 at the 10:54 mark, the Cougars closed the half on a 31-14 run that was capped off with a trey by Falkenberg just ahead of the halftime buzzer as MVNU took a comfortable 51-25 lead to the locker room at the break.

Falkenberg led the Cougars with 14 first-half points, while Sanborn tossed in 10 first-half points for the second day in a row as he went 5-for-5 from the field this time. Thomas added nine points and eight rebounds, while Borcherdt contributed eight points. MVNU shot 54.8 percent from the field (17-for-31), 38.5 percent from three-point range (5-for-13), and 92.3 percent from the free throw line (12-for-13). The Cougars also posted a 25-14 rebounding advantage.

Aaron Braun, Kyle Gillette, and Josh Vorst each scored five points to pace Northwestern Ohio in the first half. The Racers shot just 29.4 percent from the field (10-for-34), 20.0 percent from three-point range (2-for-10), and made all three of their free throw attempts.

MVNU was able to keep up the scoring pace in the second half. After Northwestern Ohio pulled within 57-35 at the 16:30 mark, the Cougars out-scored the Racers 40-23 the rest of the game as the final score of 97-58 also matched the team’s largest lead of the game.

Falkenberg (right) finished with 19 points as all five MVNU starters scored in double figures. Thomas posted his third straight double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds, while sophomore guard Brandon Short equaled his career high with 12 points. Sanborn and Borcherdt added 11 points apiece with Sanborn tying his career high with nine rebounds. Freshman guard Robbie Taylor tossed in nine points off the bench, and sophomore post Adam Grimm also chipped in with a career-high seven points off the bench. The Cougars shot 50.7 percent from the field (34-for-67), 36.4 percent from three-point range (8-for-22), and 70.0 percent from the free throw line (21-for-30). MVNU also posted a 49-36 rebounding advantage.

“I have been preaching rebounding and defense to our guys and they are really buying in,” said MVNU coach Scott Flemming. “Today, we were outstanding in both of those areas. Scoring is usually not a problem, so we are a pretty tough team to beat when we take care of the defensive end.”

“Jadin cleaned up the defensive boards and Bryce did the same on the offensive end,” Flemming continued. “We attacked them in transition and were able to get some easy baskets. Dan and Ben are playing like seniors and coming up big every game. I also thought this was the best our bench has played. I like the way we are playing right now.”

Braun and Vorst led Northwestern Ohio with nine points apiece, while Jason Sarno added seven points off the bench. The Racers shot 34.9 percent from the field (22-for-63), 17.6 percent from three-point range (3-for-17), and 68.8 percent from the free throw line (11-for-16).

The Cougars will have little time to enjoy their successful opening week as MVNU will travel to NCAA Division II Ashland University on Tuesday for a non-conference game that will tip off at 7:30 p.m.