After bus trouble forced MVNU (4-0) to play a late game on Friday against the University of Saint Mary (Kan.), the Lady Cougars did not get to the hotel until after midnight after their win. However, MVNU was ready to go against Bethel on Saturday as the Lady Cougars built a 43-29 halftime lead as freshman guard Sierra Fletcher led the way with 11 points and junior post Amanda Himes and sophomore forward Alexis Harkins (left) added seven points apiece.

The Lady Cougars were able to maintain their double-digit advantage throughout the second half as MVNU would go on to post an 82-66 victory over the Threshers (4-3).

"I am ecstatic about getting out of Stephens College with the tourney title,” said MVNU coach Steve Gregory. "It has been a long journey through some tough circumstances, and to overcome them is a wonderful feeling. Not getting back to the hotel until 12:20 and then turning around and playing again at 1:00 p.m. was a tough chore. Our kids proved up to the challenge, though, and I am very excited for them to pick a pair of wins on the road for a team with eight new players who were hitting the road for the first time in their MVNU careers.”

"Unlike Friday night, we got off to a very good start today and built a big lead early,” Gregory added. "We withstood a few runs but maintained a double-digit lead throughout. We played outstanding defense in the two-game series which is probably the thing I am most pleased about. That is something we will continue to try and build off of.”

Fletcher led the Lady Cougars for the second straight night as she scored a game-high 17 points to go with a career-high seven steals. Himes added 16 points, while Harkins finished with 14 points and a team-high six rebounds. Junior guard Lauren Johnson and junior forward Kellie Jokela also added eight points apiece. MVNU shot 35.5 percent from the field (27-for-76), 37.5 percent from three-point range (9-for-24), and 76 percent from the free throw line (19-for-25). The Lady Cougars also forced 18 turnovers with 16 steals.

"Sierra, Alexis, and Amanda led us offensively,” said Gregory. "Alexis stepped up and had a nice night after a couple of sub-par games by her standards since returning from strep throat. Lauren also played very well as she continues to show very good progress in her game. Kellie made some very nice plays as did (freshman guard) Melissa (Eickholt).”

"We did a good job of taking care of the ball and force 18 turnovers - 16 of which were steals,” Gregory added. "We have got to be more aggressive on the defensive glass, but overall this was a very sound performance.”

Hannah Blackburn was the lone Bethel player to reach double figures as she posted a double-double with 15 points and 15 rebounds. Angela Wood, Rachael Bachman, and Jordyn Blanson each added nine points apiece. The Threshers shot 38.7 percent from the field (24-for-62), 25 percent from three-point range (3-for-12), and 71.4 percent from the free throw line (15-for-21).

MVNU was slated to return to action on Monday, but the team’s non-conference game at Ohio State University-Newark has now been postponed due to the Lady Titans having too many injuries right now. All efforts will be made to reschedule that contest. Meanwhile, the Lady Cougars will now have a 10-day break in between games as MVNU will next play on December 1 when the team will travel to Shawnee State University for its American Mideast Conference opener at 6:00 p.m.