Cougars Play No. 1 Indiana Wesleyan Tough in 60-55 Loss


	Cougar Basketball Game Recap Cougars Play No. 1 Indiana Wesleyan Tough in 60-55 Loss written by Dave Parsons, Sports Information Director Game Boxscore MOUNT VERNON, Ohio (12-3-2011) - The Mount Vernon Nazarene University men's basketball team led the top team in NAIA Division II for the first 35 minutes of the game before No. 1 Indiana Wesleyan University used a 21-7 run to end the game as the Wildcats rallied for a 60-55 Mid-Central College Conference victory in the Physical Education Center on Saturday afternoon. After Indiana Wesleyan (9-0, 3-0 MCC) missed a jumper on its first possession, the Cougars (4-6, 0-3 MCC) got a jumper from junior guard Bryce Barnes *(left)* and a layup by sophomore post Caleb Williams to stake MVNU to a 4-0 lead. The Cougars stayed in front in the back and forth first half with a 16-14 advantage at the 8:59 mark. Then, MVNU used a 15-6 run over the next seven and a half minutes to build a 31-20 lead with 1:27 left before the break after a layup by freshman guard Landon Israel. Senior forward Danil Zakhlebnyy led the surge with five points, while senior post Josh Weikert contributed four key points off the bench. However, the Wildcats closed the half by scoring the final four points including a running jumper by Jordan Weidner just ahead of the buzzer as Indiana Wesleyan cut the lead to 31-24 at the break. Zakhlebnyy, Barnes, and junior guard Ben Severns each scored five points to pace the Cougars in the first half, while Williams scored four points and grabbed seven rebounds. MVNU shot 48 percent from the field (12-for-25), 16.7 percent from 3-point range (1-for-6), and 60 percent from the free throw line (6-for-10). Meanwhile, the Wildcats shot just 25 percent from the field (8-for-32), 12.5 percent from 3-point range (1-for-8), and 58.3 percent from the free throw line (7-for-12). Indiana Wesleyan did hold a 14-6 advantage in points off turnovers as the Wildcats forced nine MVNU miscues in the first half. They also led 9-5 in second chance points thanks to 10 offensive rebounds in the first 20 minutes. A three-point play by junior forward Zach Zeltman extended the Cougars' lead to 34-24 to start the second half. MVNU still led 48-39 with 8:26 to play, despite three post players having four fouls each. At this point, Indiana Wesleyan began its decisive run to end the game as David Peters got it started with a trey with 8:06 remaining. A steal and layup by Peters pulled the Wildcats within 48-44 and pair of baskets by Derrick Troyer and a layup by Patrick Hopkins completed an 11-1 run that gave Indiana Wesleyan its first lead of the game 50-49 with 4:33 to go. The Cougars missed all four of their field goal attempts, went just 1-for-2 at the free throw line, and committed four turnovers during this stretch. A jumper by Zakhlebnyy *(right)* at the 3:38 mark finally ended the drought for MVNU and put the Cougars back on top 51-50, but a pair of 3-pointers by Aaron Martin sandwiched around a jumper by Weidner staked the Wildcats to a 58-51 lead with 1:43 left. Zakhlebnyy hit a pair of free throws and then made a basket off a steal to pull MVNU within 58-55 with 1:04 to go, but the Cougars missed their final four field goal attempts and a free throw attempt the rest of the way as Indiana Wesleyan pulled out the 60-55 victory. Zakhlebnyy and Barnes led MVNU with 13 points apiece as the Cougars played without senior guard Robbie Taylor, the team's leading scorer at 18.1 points per game, who did not dress due to an injury. Williams and Zeltman added seven points apiece with Williams snaring a game-high 15 rebounds and Zeltman adding nine boards. MVNU shot 35.8 percent from the field (19-for-53) including just 25 percent in the second half (7-for-28). The Cougars were 2-for-13 from 3-point range (15.4 percent) and 15-for-23 from the free throw line (65.2 percent). Martin led Indiana Wesleyan with 11 points, while Troyer added 10 points. Weidner also contributed nine points, and Hopkins tallied eight points and seven rebounds. The Wildcats shot 33.8 percent from the field (23-for-68), 27.8 percent from 3-point range (5-for-18), and 50 percent from the free throw line (9-for-18). They grabbed 17 offensive rebounds and forced 22 turnovers by MVNU. "Our players and staff did an outstanding job today of putting ourselves in position to be there at the end," said MVNU coach Matt Moore. "Credit (Indiana Wesleyan) for making a play or two down the stretch, but we battled. They were able to play nine deep at times which is where I think they had the advantage. I am once again very proud of our guys for the guts they showed during the game. It was a great challenge and we look forward to as many of these types of games as possible." The Cougars will now be off until Friday for final exams. Then, they will travel to the Hope (Mich.) College Tournament next weekend. MVNU will take on Purdue University-North Central (Ind.) at 6 p.m. on Friday.

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