The host Lady Bulldogs (5-15, 1-7 AMC South) jumped out to an early 12-4 lead over the first five and a half minutes and led 20-11 with 9:37 left before halftime as Janicia Anderson scored nine early points.

However, MVNU (15-7, 3-5 AMC South) answered with a 25-6 run to close the half as the Lady Cougars took a 36-26 lead to the locker room at the break. Freshman post Amanda Himes (left) led the surge with eight points, while junior wing Bethany Hughes added seven points.

Himes led MVNU with 12 points and six rebounds off the bench in the first half, while Hughes added seven points off the bench. Freshman guard Lauren Johnson also came off the bench to contribute six points and six assists. The Lady Cougars shot 33.3 percent from the field (15-for-45), 22.7 percent from three-point range (5-for-22), and 50.0 percent from the free throw line (1-for-2). MVNU also posted a 30-23 rebounding advantage including a 14-6 edge on the offensive end.

Anderson led Wilberforce with 13 points and 12 rebounds as she posted a double-double in the first half alone. Tamarra Moss also added five points. The Lady Bulldogs shot 32.3 percent from the field (10-for-31), 16.7 percent from three-point range (1-for-6), and 62.5 percent from the free throw line (5-for-8).

After Wilberforce pulled within six points on four occasions, the Lady Cougars used a 12-0 run to move in front 55-37 with 14:39 left in the game. Himes scored six quick points, while junior guards Rachel Fiely and Jessica Lynn hit back-to-back three-pointers.

The Lady Bulldogs went on a 27-16 run to close the gap to 71-64 with 3:56 to play, but Fiely scored eight points down the stretch including going 4-for-4 at the free throw line as MVNU held on for the 85-74 victory.

“This is a great win on the road within the conference,” said MVNU coach Steve Gregory. “(Wilberforce) is a strong opponent at home, and we were fortunate that we were able to make a lot of nice plays down the stretch to secure the win.”

“Bethany and Amanda were both outstanding tonight,” continued Gregory. “Bethany hit some key three-pointers and made plays on the defensive end of the floor, while Himes was a big key for us on the low block. They couldn’t stop her 1-on-1 as we kept going to the well. Rachel was also outstanding at the line and her leadership in key situations is always a huge plus for us.”

Himes led the Lady Cougars with a career-high 27 points off the bench on 12-for-17 shooting to go with a team-high 10 rebounds. Fiely added 16 points and eight assists, while Hughes (right) set a new career high with 12 points and four assists. Johnson finished with nine points, six assists, and four steals, and junior post Melissa Mastrodonato contributed seven points and five rebounds. Freshman wing Kelli Pollock also drilled a pair of treys off the bench for six points. MVNU shot 44.3 percent from the field (31-for-70), 28.1 percent from three-point range (9-for-32), and 56.0 percent at the free throw line (14-for-25). The Lady Cougars also won the rebounding battle 47-39 with 18 offensive boards.

Anderson posted a double-double of 32 points and 17 rebounds to go with six steals to lead Wilberforce. Moss also reached double figures with 16 points. The Lady Bulldogs shot 43.3 percent from the field (29-for-67), 33.3 percent from three-point range (5-for-15), and 61.1 percent from the free throw line (11-for-18).

MVNU will return to action on Tuesday when the Lady Cougars will travel to Cedarville University for another AMC South Division game that will tip off at 5:30 p.m.