MVNU (5-0) scored the first eight points of the game and never looked back as senior guard Rachel Fiely (left) and sophomore forward Kellie Jokela both nailed a three-pointer in the early going for the Lady Cougars.

By halftime, MVNU’s lead had grown to 57-28 as Fiely poured in 22 points in the first half on 8-for-13 shooting to go with six assists. Sophomore post Amanda Himes and freshman forward Alexis Harkins added 10 first-half points apiece, and the Lady Cougars’ defense forced 18 turnovers. MVNU shot 56.4 percent from the field (22-for-39), 50.0 percent from three-point range (7-for-14), and 85.7 percent from the free throw line (6-for-7).

Kim Miller and Emily Shellabarger both scored seven first-half points to pace the Beavers (2-1). Bluffton shot 40.0 percent from the field (10-for-25), 42.9 percent from three-point range (3-for-7), and 50.0 percent from the free throw line.”

The second half was much of the same for the Lady Cougars as they never let their lead slip below a 27-point margin as MVNU cruised to the 99-67 victory to claim the tournament championship.

Fiely finished with a career-high 27 points to go with 11 assists, five steals, and four rebounds as she was selected as the Most Valuable Player of the tournament. Himes added 21 points and eight rebounds as she joined Fiely on the All-Tournament Team. Harkins poured in a career-high 16 points, and sophomore guard Lauren Johnson scored 12 points in her first career start. Senior wing Bethany Hughes tossed in eight points off the bench, while freshman guard Gabby Fowler nailed a pair of three-pointers for her first six collegiate points. The Lady Cougars shot 50.0 percent from the field for the game (35-for-70), 56.5 percent from three-point range (13-for-23), and 80.0 percent from the free throw line (16-for-20).

“I am extremely proud of our team’s effort today,” said MVNU coach Steve Gregory. “We played extremely well on both ends of the floor as well as canning free throws. We nailed several threes against their zone defense, while Himes had her way in the paint. When they focused more time on Himes with double-teams (in man and in zone), our perimeter players stepped up and knocked down huge shots and made great drives to the basket.”

“Rachel was outstanding for the second consecutive night,” said Gregory of his point guard who averaged 20.5 points, 7.5 assists, 4.0 steals, and 4.0 rebounds in the tournament. “She made big shots and made tremendous passes to open teammates. Bethany, Lauren, Alexis, and Jessica (Lynn) also contributed in big ways to this tournament championship. Kellie did the dirty work and got physical when we needed her to.”

Bluffton was led by Shellabarger and Beth Yoder with 12 points apiece with Shellabarger grabbing a team-high eight rebounds. Miller also finished with 11 points. The Beavers shot 42.0 percent from the field (21-for-50), 53.8 percent from three-point range (7-for-13), and 60.0 percent from the free throw line.

The Lady Cougars will return to action next Friday when MVNU will travel to the Trinity International (Ill.) University Classic. MVNU will take on Blackburn (Ill.) College at 6:00 p.m. EST in the first game on Friday.