After falling behind 15-0 in the previous meeting between these two teams just 16 days ago as MVNU fell 77-62 in the Physical Education Center, the Lady Cougars (16-6) turned the tables this time by jumping out to an early 11-1 lead behind five quick points from freshman forward Alexis Harkins.

However, Cedarville (14-6), which had committed six turnovers in the first five minutes, finally got things going and used a 15-4 run to take a 16-15 lead with 5:44 remaining in the half on a three-pointer by Bayley Nosal. Nosal and Aubrey Siemon both scored five points apiece to fuel the comeback.

MVNU responded, though, with a 19-10 run to close the half as the Lady Cougars took a 34-26 advantage to the locker room at the half. Sophomore post Amanda Himes scored eight points off the bench during the surge, while Harkins, senior guard Rachel Fiely, and freshman guard Gabby Fowler (left) each added three points apiece with Fowler's coming on a trey just ahead of the halftime buzzer.

Harkins and Himes both scored 10 points and grabbed six rebounds apiece in the first half to lead MVNU. The Lady Cougars shot just 36.1 percent from the field (13-for-36), 23.1 percent from three-point range (3-for-13), and 83.3 percent from the free throw line (5-for-6). MVNU also held a 22-18 edge in rebounds.

Siemon and Jenna Smith both scored seven points apiece with Siemon grabbing seven rebounds to pace the Lady Jackets in the first half. Cedarville shot 39.3 percent from the field (11-for-28), 14.3 percent from three-point range (1-for-7), and 60.0 percent from the free throw line (3-for-5).

A jumper by Himes and a three-pointer by sophomore guard Lauren Johnson helped the Lady Cougars open up a 39-28 lead just 52 seconds into the second half as MVNU got off to a great start in the final period.

However, the Lady Jackets rattled off 15 of the next 18 points to take a 43-42 lead at the 14:57 mark. Alison Lemon scored five points, while Siemon and Rachel Hurley added four points apiece.

Once again, the Lady Cougars remained calm and answered with an 8-0 run of their own as senior post Melissa Mastrodonato made a layup and senior wing Bethany Hughes and Fowler each added a trey to put MVNU back on top 50-43 with 12:02 to play.

Cedarville continued to chip away at the lead and pulled within 59-56 with 3:32 remaining. However, Fowler answered with her third trifecta of the game at the 2:14 mark to push the lead back to 62-56.

Lemon’s three-pointer on the Lady Jackets’ next possession made it 62-59 with 1:55 still on the clock. However, the Lady Cougars would then score the next eight points to extend their lead to 70-59 with 37 seconds to go as Himes and Harkins both made baskets and senior guard Ashley Brown and Fiely both went 2-for-2 at the free throw line.

Nosal hit three free throws and Lemon made two baskets for Cedarville, but Fiely hit two more free throws and senior guard Jessica Lynn split a pair as MVNU secured the 73-66 victory - the team’s first in the Callan Athletic Center since January 4, 2001.

“The kids did a tremendous job of staying focused and attentive to details as they battled with a tremendous team in Cedarville,” said MVNU coach Steve Gregory. “The girls consistently made big plays down the stretch and finished at the free throw line. This game was a total team effort with numerous people contributing to the win. Our bench was also loud and boisterous throughout. The most important point is that our defense was outstanding tonight. Our kids came together and put an unbelievable effort out on the floor and earned this win against a well-coached, top 25 team.”

Himes (right) paced the Lady Cougars with 18 points, 11 rebounds, and three assists off the bench, while Harkins finished with 16 points and eight rebounds. Fowler tossed in a career-high nine points off the bench, and Mastrodonato contributed eight points and seven rebounds. Fiely also tallied seven points, a game-high eight assists, and four steals. MVNU shot 41.3 percent from the field (26-for-63), 30.8 percent from three-point range (8-for-26), and 76.5 percent from the free throw line (13-for-17). The Lady Cougars also won the battle of the boards 38-35, scored 27 points off of 22 Cedarville turnovers, and posted a 31-10 advantage in bench scoring.

“Amanda had a strong performance in her second game back both scoring and rebounding,” said Gregory. “Alexis was very assertive offensively and played strong post defense tonight. Our bench stepped up big time with the absence of Kellie Jokela tonight. Gabby was intense on defense and hit three treys - none bigger than the one late in the game with us clinging to a three-point lead. Bethany and Jessica also played critical roles off the bench for us tonight.”

Lemon led the Lady Jackets with a game-high 21 points, while Smith added 15 points. Siemon also posted a double-double with 11 points and a game-high 14 rebounds. Cedarville shot 45.2 percent from the field (28-for-62), 16.7 percent from three-point range (3-for-18), and 70.0 percent from the free throw line (7-for-10).

MVNU will have the weekend off before returning to action next Tuesday with another road game against a nationally-ranked opponent as the Lady Cougars will travel to No. 2 Shawnee State University (21-0) for an American Mideast Conference contest that will start at 6:00 p.m.