March 14, vs. Mount Marty (SD) College
In the quarterfinals of the 1998 NAIA Division II National Tournament, thirteenth-seeded Mount Marty knocked off MVNC, the fifth seed, 74-69 to end the Cougars' record-breaking season. The Lancers built a 43-31 halftime lead, but MVNC closed the gap to 70-69 in the final minute of the game on a three-pointer by Ehren Hull. Following four points by Mount Marty, the Cougars missed six shots in the final 38 seconds as their season came to an end. Adam Stevens led the way with 16 points and eight rebounds, while Brad Hostasa and Ehren Hull tossed in 15 points each. Todd Sands also contributed 14 points and eight rebounds. BOXSCORE
March 13, vs. Western Baptist (OR) College
The fifth-seeded Cougars advanced to the quarterfinals of the 1998 NAIA Division II National Tournament with an 80-75 second round win over Western Baptist, the twelfth seed. After leading 37-36 at the half, MVNC built the lead to as many as 14 points in the second half before the Warriors rallied to within 77-75 with 17 seconds left to play. However, that would be as close as Western Baptist would get as freshman Matt Keller nailed 3-of-4 free throw attempts to close the game. Adam Stevens led the way with 18 points and 12 rebounds, while Todd Sands and Kyle Gerhart added 14 points apiece. Keller finished with nine points, and Brad Hostasa recorded seven points and 11 rebounds. BOXSCORE
March 11, vs. St. Ambrose (IA) University
MVNC, the fifth seed, began play in the 1998 NAIA Division II National Tournament with an 86-83 first round victory over unseeded St. Ambrose. Kyle Gerhart and Matt Keller each canned one free throw in the final 17 seconds to help the Cougars to the victory. Brad Hostasa led the team with a game-high 28 points and eight rebounds, while Adam Stevens added 26 points and six rebounds. Ehren Hull contributed 11 points and a team-high six assists, while Gerhart finished with nine points and five assists. Keller also recorded eight points off the bench. BOXSCORE
February 28, WALSH UNIVERSITY
The top-seeded Cougars fell 86-84 to fourth-seeded Walsh in the semifinals of the Mid-Ohio Conference Tournament. MVNC trailed by as many as 11 points in the second half before rallying to take an 81-80 lead with 1:47 remaining on a lay-up by Ehren Hull. The Cavaliers regained the lead and hit their free throws down the stretch to hold on for the victory. Adam Stevens led the Cougars with 21 points, seven rebounds, and four blocked shots, while Brad Hostasa added 17 points. Todd Sands became the 21st Cougar to score 1,000 career points as he finished with 16 points in 18 minutes before fouling out. Hull also contributed 13 points, and Kyle Gerhart recorded eight points and a game-high eight assists. BOXSCORE
February 21, URBANA UNIVERSITY
MVNC claimed the Mid-Ohio Conference title outright and set a new school record for victories in a season with 25 as the Cougars downed Urbana 79-44. MVNC also tied a school record by allowing just 15 first-half points and set another record by allowing just 44 points for the game. Brad Hostasa led all scorers with 21 points on 9-of-10 shooting from the field including a 2-for-2 performance from beyond the three-point arc. Todd Sands added 16 points, and Adam Stevens recorded 15 points and a game-high 15 rebounds. BOXSCORE
February 19, at Walsh University
The Cougars clinched at least a share of their first ever Mid-Ohio Conference title with a 91-78 victory at Walsh. MVNC also tied the school record for most victories in a season with 24 as the Cavaliers lost for only the second time in 44 games on their home court. The Cougars shot 57 percent from the field in the second half and nailed 19-of-21 free throw attempts to pull away for the win. Adam Stevens led the way with a game-high 24 points, while Todd Sands and Brad Hostasa each finished with 18 points apiece. Ehren Hull added 17 points, and Kyle Gerhart dished out a game-high eight assists. BOXSCORE
February 14, at Shawnee State University
MVNC rallied in the second half for a 90-74 Mid-Ohio Conference victory at Shawnee State. The Cougars, who trailed 41-39 at the half, canned 17-of-22 second-half field goal attempts (77 percent) to pull away for the win. Brad Hostasa led the way with 23 points, while Adam Stevens, Todd Sands, and Ehren Hull scored 16 points apiece. Kyle Gerhart recorded 12 points and a game-high 10 assists, while Sands and Michael Pape each grabbed six rebounds. BOXSCORE
February 12, CEDARVILLE COLLEGE
The Cougars pulled away in the second half for a 104-82 Mid-Ohio Conference win over Cedarville. After leading 46-34 at the half, MVNC watched as the Yellow Jackets knotted the score at 59-59 with 13:25 left in the game. With the Cougars holding a slim 65-64 at the 11:50 mark, MVNC used an 18-0 run over the next four minutes to take a commanding 83-64 lead with eight minutes to go. Ehren Hull led all scorers with 30 points, while Brad Hostasa added 26 points. Adam Stevens scored 23 points and grabbed a game-high 13 rebounds, and Todd Sands finished with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Kyle Gerhart also dished out a game-high 12 assists. BOXSCORE
February 10, at Kenyon College
MVNC made it three wins in a row as the Cougars knocked off Kenyon 83-60 in a non-conference battle between the two Knox County rivals. Brad Hostasa led all scorers with 22 points on 9-of-11 shooting from the field, while Ehren Hull finished with 17 points. Adam Stevens and Todd Sands each scored 13 points with Stevens grabbing a game-high 10 rebounds. Kyle Gerhart dished out a game-high six assists and finished with four points. BOXSCORE
February 7, at Wilberforce University
The Cougars notched their 20th win of the season with a 102-82 non-conference victory over Wilberforce. It marked only the fifth time that MVNC has posted 20 wins in a season. Brad Hostasa became the 20th Cougar to score 1,000 career points as the junior forward tossed in a game-high 29 points that included a 12-of-18 performance from the charity stripe. Adam Stevens added 25 points and a game-high 13 rebounds, while Todd Sands finished with 18 points on 9-of-10 shooting from the field. Ehren Hull scored 13 points, and Kyle Gerhart contributed 11 points and a game-high nine assists. BOXSCORE
February 5, at Ohio Dominican College
MVNC snapped its season-high two-game losing skid in a big way as the Cougars drubbed Ohio Dominican 96-57 in a Mid-Ohio Conference contest to sweep the season series. MVNC shot 62 percent from the field (38-of-61), including a 12-for-23 (52 percent) showing from beyond the three-point arc. Brad Hostasa led the Cougars with a game-high 24 points, while Todd Sands added 22 points, a game-high 12 rebounds, and career highs of eight assists and seven blocked shots. Ehren Hull tossed in 18 points, and Adam Stevens finished with 16 points. BOXSCORE
January 31, at University of Rio Grande
The Cougars lost their second straight game for the first time this season as they dropped an 83-72 Mid-Ohio Conference decision to Rio Grande. MVNC trailed for most of the game as the Cougars shot 45 percent from the field while the Redmen scorched the nets at a 57-percent shooting clip. Ehren Hull led MVNC with 19 points, while Brad Hostasa added 17 points. Adam Stevens finished with 10 points and a team-high eight rebounds. BOXSCORE
January 27, MALONE COLLEGE
MVNC saw its nine-game winning streak come to an end as Malone rallied for an 87-76 Mid-Ohio Conference victory to sweep the season series. The Cougars built a 46-30 halftime lead, but the Pioneers used 60 percent shooting for the game to pull out the win and move into sole possession of first place in the conference. Adam Stevens led MVNC with 22 points, while Brad Hostasa added 20 points and eight rebounds. Todd Sands tossed in 18 points and grabbed a team-high nine rebounds, and Ehren Hull finished with 10 points and four assists. BOXSCORE
January 24, TIFFIN UNIVERSITY
The Cougars won their school record-tying ninth straight game as MVNC prevailed 110-98 over Tiffin in Mid-Ohio Conference action. Junior Ehren Hull became the first Cougar in eight years to eclipse 40 points in a game as he scorched the nets for a career-high 42 points on 15-of-22 shooting from the field that included eight three-pointers. Brad Hostasa added 30 points, while Todd Sands finished with 17 points and seven rebounds. Adam Stevens also contributed 11 points, a game-high 14 rebounds, and a team-high seven assists. BOXSCORE
January 22, WALSH UNIVERSITY
In a battle between two teams in the latest NAIA Division II top ten, third-ranked MVNC knocked off sixth-ranked Walsh 96-83 for the Cougars' eighth straight win. MVNC led 42-38 at the half and used a 7-0 run to start the second half as the Cougars pulled away with 67 percent second-half shooting (20-for-30). Ehren Hull led all scorers with 28 points, while Brad Hostasa added 22 points. Adam Stevens finished with 19 points, six rebounds, and three blocked shots, and Todd Sands contributed 15 points and eight rebounds. Kyle Gerhart also dished out a game-high 13 assists. BOXSCORE
January 17, SHAWNEE STATE UNIVERSITY
The Cougars won their seventh straight game as they downed Shawnee State 93-63 in Mid-Ohio Conference action. MVNC shot 63 percent from the field in the first half as the Cougars built a commanding 50-33 lead and never looked back. Brad Hostasa led all scorers with 22 points, while Adam Stevens added 20 points and eight rebounds. Ehren Hull tossed in 19 points, and Todd Sands finished with 14 points and a game-high 12 rebounds. BOXSCORE
January 15, at Cedarville College
MVNC extended its winning streak to six straight games as the Cougars claimed an important 90-83 Mid-Ohio Conference road victory over Cedarville. Todd Sands, Ehren Hull, and Brad Hostasa each scored 18 points with Sands adding a game-high nine rebounds. Adam Stevens finished with 16 points,seven rebounds, and four blocked shots, while Matt Keller tossed in a career-high 14 points including a 4-for-4 performance at the free throw line down the stretch. The Cougars connected on 20-of-25 free throw attempts (80 percent) and outrebounded the Yellow Jackets 38-36. BOXSCORE
January 13, OHIO DOMINICAN COLLEGE
The Cougars rallied from an 11-point halftime deficit to post a hard-fought 75-70 Mid-Ohio Conference victory over Ohio Dominican. MVNC started the second half with a 17-4 run to take a 48-46 lead with 11:55 left in the game on a jumper by Todd Sands. The Cougars limited the Panthers to just 26 percent shooting in the second half as they turned up the defensive pressure. Adam Stevens led MVNC with a game-high 20 points and 14 rebounds, while Brad Hostasa and Ehren Hull tossed in 16 points apiece. Sands also finished with 10 points, 10 rebounds, and two blocked shots. BOXSCORE
January 8, at Urbana University
MVNC notched its fourth straight win as the Cougars downed Urbana 88-64 in Mid-Ohio Conference action. MVNC shot 60 percent from the field and limited the Blue Knights to just 34 percent field goal shooting. Brad Hostasa led all scorers with a career-high 32 points on 12-of-15 shooting from the field and a 7-for-8 showing from the free throw line. Todd Sands added 18 points, 10 rebounds, and three blocked shots, while Adam Stevens finished with 14 points and a game-high 14 rebounds. BOXSCORE
January 6, UNIVERSITY OF RIO GRANDE
The Cougars won the battle between the nationally-ranked teams as MVNC claimed a 96-85 Mid-Ohio Conference victory over Rio Grande, ranked #16 in the latest NAIA Division I poll. The Cougars built a 45-37 lead at the half and held on for the win. Ehren Hull had the hot hand as he scored a season-high 31 points and was 7-of-9 from beyond the three-point arc. Brad Hostasa added 14 points and a game-high 11 rebounds, while Todd Sands chipped in with 13 points. Adam Stevens and Kyle Gerhart finished with 12 and 11 points respectively to round out the double figure scorers. BOXSCORE
January 3, UNIVERSITY OF WINDSOR (ONT)
MVNC began the new year with a 79-64 non-conference victory over Windsor. The Cougars held a slim 35-33 halftime lead as Windsor shot 52 percent from the field in the first half. However, MVNC turned up the defense in the second half as the Lancers hit on only 36 percent of their shots. The Cougars were led by Brad Hostasa, who scored a game-high 28 points, grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds, dished out a game-high five assists, and added a game-high four steals. Adam Stevens contributed 18 points and 11 rebounds, while Ehren Hull added 15 points and five assists. Todd Sands rounded out the double figure scorers with 10 points. BOXSCORE
December 19, at St. Clair (ONT) College
The Cougars made their trip north of the border a successful one as MVNC knocked off St. Clair 90-75 in non-conference action. Todd Sands led the way with a career-high 35 points and 17 rebounds. Sands was 14-of-18 from the field and 7-of-8 from the free throw line, while also recording four assists and three blocked shots. Brad Hostasa added 18 points, and Ehren Hull finished with 14 points. Hull and Adam Stevens led the team with seven assists apiece as the Cougars compiled 31 assists as a team. BOXSCORE
December 18, at Malone College
MVNC shot just 37 percent from the field as the Cougars fell 66-63 to Malone in Mid-Ohio Conference action. Adam Stevens led the team with 22 points (including 5-for-8 shooting from three-point land) and eight rebounds, while Brad Hostasa went 10-for-13 from the free throw line and finished with 18 points. Ehren Hull rounded out the double figure scorers with 13 points. Todd Sands added eight points and grabbed a team-high nine rebounds. BOXSCORE
December 16, at Tiffin University
The Cougars overcame 32 turnovers by shooting 65 percent from the field on their way to an 88-84 Mid-Ohio Conference victory over Tiffin. Ehren Hull and Adam Stevens led the team with 22 points, while Brad Hostasa added 18 points. Hull led the team with seven assists, and Stevens grabbed a game-high 13 rebounds and went 5-for-7 from beyond the three-point arc. Todd Sands also tossed in 10 points, while Matt Keller contributed eight points off the bench. BOXSCORE
December 6, COLLEGE OF WEST VIRGINIA
In the championship game of the Food for the Hungry Holiday Invitational, MVNC fell to the College of West Virginia 105-96 to snap the Cougars' eight-game winning streak. Todd Sands continued his hot shooting as he went 11-of-14 from the field on his way to a 27-point, 11-rebound performance. Brad Hostasa added 23 points, while Adam Stevens finished with 16 points and a team-high 13 rebounds. Ehren Hull also chipped in with 14 points. Sands and Hostasa were named to the All-Tournament Team. BOXSCORE
December 5, SENECA (ONT) COLLEGE
The Cougars set a new school record for fewest points allowed in a game as they defeated Seneca 90-45 in the first round of the Food for the Hungry Holiday Invitational. MVNC shot 58 percent from the field for the game, while holding the Braves to just 28 percent shooting. Todd Sands led the Cougars with 22 points on 11-of-12 shooting, while Adam Stevens finished with 21 points. Brad Hostasa tossed in 17 points, and Ehren Hull contributed 10 points. During the game, Hull became the 19th MVNC men's basketball player to reach 1,000 career points. BOXSCORE
December 2, at Ohio State University-Newark
MVNC shot 69 percent from the field in the first half as the Cougars built a commanding 66-29 lead at the break on their way to a 106-69 non-conference victory at Ohio State-Newark. Brad Hostasa led six players in double figures with 15 points, while Bob Goetzman scored a career-high 13 points. Todd Sands and Rich Flowers each added 12 points, and Kyle Gerhart and Ehren Hull tossed in 11 points apiece. All 15 MVNC players scored at least one point in the contest. BOXSCORE
November 25, at Ohio Valley (WV) College
The Cougars roared out to a 45-13 lead in the first half and downed Ohio Valley 109-81 in non-conference action. Todd Sands led all scorers with a career-high 30 points on 14-of-17 shooting from the field, while Ehren Hull tossed in 20 points. Adam Stevens finished with 19 points, and Brad Hostasa added 17 points. Sands also led the team with a game-high 16 rebounds and five blocked shots. Kyle Gerhart dished out 12 assists and contributed nine points. BOXSCORE
November 22, at Nyack (NY) College
MVNC rode the play of Adam Stevens and Todd Sands to victory as the Cougars defeated Nyack 66-61 in the championship game of the NCCAA Roundball Classic. Stevens recorded game-highs of 26 points and 10 rebounds, while Sands chipped in with 23 points and nine rebounds. Brad Hostasa added seven points as only six MVNC players scored in the contest. Stevens was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player and was joined on the All-Tournament Team by Sands and Kyle Gerhart. BOXSCORE
November 21, vs. Roberts Wesleyan (NY) College
The Cougars broke open a close game in the second half as MVNC cruised to a 91-73 victory in the opening round of the NCCAA Roundball Classic. The Cougars, who led just 38-37 at the half, shot 58 percent from the field and limited the Raiders to just 38 percent second-half shooting. Todd Sands paced MVNC with 23 points on 10-of-11 shooting, and Brad Hostasa added 16 points. Adam Stevens finished with 15 points and 16 rebounds, while Ehren Hull scored 14 points off the bench in his first game of the season. Kyle Gerhart dished out a career-high 13 assists. BOXSCORE
November 18, KENTUCKY CHRISTIAN COLLEGE
MVNC used hot shooting to down the visiting Knights 85-76 in non-conference action. As a team, the Cougars shot 60 percent from the field and 53 percent from the three-point line. Adam Stevens led the way with a career-high 29 points that included five treys, while Todd Sands added 21 points on 10-of-11 shooting from the field. Brad Hostasa finished with 16 points, and Matt Keller contributed eight points off the bench. Stevens, Sands, and Michael Pape shared team honors with seven rebounds apiece. BOXSCORE
November 15, SPRING ARBOR (MI) COLLEGE
The Cougars claimed the 1997 Cougar Homecoming Classic championship by knocking off Spring Arbor (ranked #2 in the NAIA Division II preseason poll) 85-78 in the title game. Adam Stevens led MVNC with 18 points and 18 rebounds, while Brad Hostasa scored 16 points. Todd Sands contributed 15 points and 12 rebounds, and Matt Keller scored a career-high 13 points, most of which came on 10-of-12 free throw shooting down the stretch. Stevens was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player, and he was joined on the all-tournament team by Hostasa and Sands. BOXSCORE
November 14, CONCORDIA (MI) COLLEGE
MVNC made a successful home debut as the Cougars downed Concordia 90-71 in the first round of the 1997 Cougar Homecoming Classic. Todd Sands recorded game-highs of 23 points and 11 rebounds, while Adam Stevens added 21 points and 10 rebounds. Brad Hostasa finished with 19 points and seven rebounds, and Bob Goetzman scored a career-high nine points off the bench. MVNC hit on 8-of-13 three-point attempts in the first half as the Cougars built a 19-point halftime lead. BOXSCORE
November 8, at Olivet Nazarene (IL) University
The Cougars opened the 1997-98 season with a loss as Olivet Nazarene defeated MVNC 88-79. The Cougars rallied from a 12-point halftime deficit to tie the score at 65-65 with 6:22 left in the game on a dunk by Brad Hostasa. However, the host Tigers used free throws down the stretch to seal the victory. Hostasa led all scorers with 28 points, while Adam Stevens finished with 19 points, eight rebounds, and a game-high seven assists. Kyle Gerhart tossed in 12 points, and Todd Sands scored 10 points. BOXSCORE