MVNU (1-0) jumped out to a quick 11-1 lead over the first three minutes as junior center Amanda Himes scored four points, junior wing Kelli Pollock nailed a three-pointer, and junior guard Lauren Johnson and sophomore guard Sierra Fletcher each added two points apiece.

After the visiting Lady Titans (1-1) pulled to within 12-5 at the 14:13 mark, the Lady Cougars used a 36-14 run over the remainder of the half to take a commanding 48-19 advantage to the locker room at the break.

Himes led MVNU with nine points in the first half, while Johnson and freshman center Courtney Swart each added six points. Freshman forward Emily Steveley (left) came off the bench to contribute five points and seven rebounds, and 11 different players scored at least two points for the Lady Cougars in the first half. MVNU shot 56.8 percent from the field (21-for-37), 40 percent from three-point range (4-for-10), and 66.7 percent from the free throw line (2-for-3). The Lady Cougars also out-rebounded Ohio State-Newark 22-14 and forced 18 turnovers while committing 11 miscues themselves.

Kaylee Walker paced the Lady Titans with nine points, while Ashley Bevard tossed in seven points. Ohio State-Newark shot just 25 percent from the field (6-for-24) in the first half, hit 42.9 percent from three-point range (3-for-7), and went just 4-for-9 at the free throw line (44.4 percent).

MVNU limited the Lady Titans to just a three-pointer by Bevard over the first 10 minutes of the second half while the Lady Cougars got seven points from Himes, four points from junior forward Kellie Jokela, a three-pointer by freshman guard Rachel Peelman, and a pair of free throws by Pollock as MVNU expanded the lead to 64-22.

From there, the Lady Cougars cruised to the win as they led by as much as 86-36 before a jumper by Lauren Valentine made the final score 86-38.

"Our season is now under way and our kids picked up some valuable experience that they desperately needed in a game situation,” said MVNU coach Steve Gregory. "Our transition game got better as the game went along and we calmed down in the second half and made fewer mental mistakes in the turnover category.”

"Our perimeter shooting and overall shooting percentage dipped in the second half and was not as consistent as I would like it to be, but we will have time to work at it and get better,” Gregory added. "We had a lot of people play well and our defense got stronger in the second half and forced (Ohio State-Newark) into many mistakes which we were able to capitalize on. I am also proud of the fact that we took at least three charges tonight.”

Himes finished with a game-high 16 points to lead MVNU, while Steveley came off the bench to post a double-double of 11 points and a game-high 16 rebounds in her first collegiate contest. Swart also tallied 10 points, eight rebounds, and three blocked shots off the bench, and Johnson tossed in nine points to go with four assists and five steals. Fletcher and freshman guard Camaranne Myles scored six points each with Myles draining a pair of threes. In all, 12 of the 13 players who dressed scored at least three points in the game and everyone played at least five minutes. The Lady Cougars shot 43.4 percent from the field (36-for-83), 22.2 percent from three-point range (6-for-27), and 72.7 percent from the free throw line (8-for-11). MVNU also held a 55-34 rebounding advantage and forced 31 turnovers while committing just 14.

"Amanda played strong underneath and Courtney came in and gave us valuable minutes off the bench at the center position,” said Gregory. "Emily had a very nice first collegiate game. She did an outstanding job of extending possessions and getting us second chance opportunities.”

Walker finished with 15 points to lead the Lady Titans, while Bevard added 13 points and Tia Payne led her team with eight rebounds. Ohio State-Newark shot just 26 percent from the field (13-for-50), 36.8 percent from three-point range (7-for-19), and 38.5 percent at the free throw line (5-for-13).

The Lady Cougars will return to action on Friday at 6:00 p.m. when the team will take on Asbury (Ky.) College as part of the annual homecoming festivities. "We will now turn our attention to this Friday night when we will see Asbury coming into our gym for homecoming. We look forward to the annual event and hope to be at our best when Friday rolls around.”