Cedarville University (11-5, 2-2 AMC) got a trio of three-pointers from Alison Lemon as the Lady Jackets roared out to a 15-0 lead over the first six minutes as MVNU (14-4, 2-3 AMC) went 0-for-9 from the field to start the game and committed three turnovers.

The Lady Cougars finally got on the scoreboard at the 13:29 mark on a layup by freshman forward Alexis Harkins (left), but Cedarville answered with six three-pointers and a 26-16 run as the Lady Jackets built a 41-18 advantage with 3:07 left before the halftime break. From there, Cedarville cruised to a 43-24 lead at the break.

Harkins led the Lady Cougars with nine first-half points, while senior guard Rachel Fiely added six points. MVNU shot 32.1 percent from the field (9-for-28), 30.0 percent from three-point range (3-for-10), and 75.0 percent from the free throw line (3-for-4).

Meanwhile, Lemon went 4-for-4 from three-point range in the first half for 12 points. The Lady Jackets shot 42.4 percent from the field (14-for-33), 52.9 percent from three-point range (9-for-17), and 85.7 percent from the free throw line (6-for-7). Cedarville also had a commanding 24-14 edge in rebounds.

The Lady Jackets extended their lead to 49-24 to start the second half with three straight baskets over the first three minutes.

However, then MVNU went on a 17-4 run to close the gap to 53-41 with 11:12 to play as sophomore guard Lauren Johnson nailed a pair of three-pointers to fuel the comeback, and Harkins also added six points.

Cedarville pushed the lead back to 60-41 with seven quick points, but the Lady Cougars did not give in as seven straight points from senior wing Bethany Hughes and three free throws by Fiely pulled MVNU back within 63-51 with 5:45 left.

At that point, the Lady Jackets, who had blown an 18-point second-half lead in their previous game - a loss at home to Walsh University, went on a 12-2 lead of their own to increase the lead to 73-53 with 2:35 to go. The Lady Cougars tried to mount one more comeback, but Cedarville was able to wrap up the 77-62 victory.

“I am extremely disappointed with our first-half effort,” said MVNU coach Steve Gregory. “We came out slow and lackadaisical and let Cedarville get off to a great start. We went the first six and a half minutes without scoring. That kind of drought alone will kill you against a great team like Cedarville.”

“We played a much better second half, our defense was much better, and our offense responded by making open shots. To play 30 of the 40 minutes will kill you against the great teams and that is what cost us tonight. We’ve got to go back to work and work hard to shore up some of our shortcomings.”

Harkins and Fiely (right) paced the Lady Cougars with 15 points apiece, while Johnson tossed in 11 points off the bench. MVNU shot 34.9 percent from the field (22-for-63), 37.0 percent from three-point range (10-for-27), and 88.9 percent from the free throw line (8-for-9).

“Alexis and Rachel were our catalysts on offense along with Lauren Johnson and Bethany Hughes,” said Gregory. “(Cedarville)’s size gave us problems underneath and their guards hit open threes and were very strong with the penetration.”

Lemon finished with a game-high with 23 points as she went 4-for-5 from three-point range. Rachel Hurley added 14 points, while Aubrey Siemon finished with 12 points and nine rebounds. Cedarville shot 46.0 percent from the field (29-for-53), 41.7 percent from three-point range (10-for-24), and 69.2 percent from the free throw line (9-for-13).

MVNU will return to action on Saturday when the Lady Cougars will travel to the University of Northwestern Ohio for another conference game that will start at 1:00 p.m.