Seniors Lead the Way as Lady Cougars Win Fifth Straight


	Lady Cougar Basketball Game Recap Seniors Lead the Way as Lady Cougars Win Fifth Straight written by Dave Parsons, Sports Information Director Game Boxscore MOUNT VERNON, Ohio (2-18-2012) - The Mount Vernon Nazarene University women's basketball team held the University of Saint Francis (Ind.) without a made field goal for nearly a 10-minute stretch in the second half as the Lady Cougars pulled away down the stretch for a 70-48 Mid-Central College Conference victory on Saturday afternoon in the Physical Education Center for the team's fifth straight win to close the regular season as the team's three seniors led the way. The game went back and forth at the start with the third tie of the contest coming at 6-6 with just over three minutes gone by. Then, MVNU (16-12, 8-10 MCC) used a 13-4 run to build a 19-10 lead by the 12:24 mark as senior guard Sierra Fletcher nailed a pair of 3-pointers and junior post Courtney Swart converted a three-point play opportunity. Saint Francis (18-12, 10-8 MCC), which received votes in the latest NAIA Division II poll, pulled within 19-15, but the host Lady Cougars were able to use a 17-10 run to close the half as MVNU took a 36-25 lead to the locker room at the break. Fletcher led the Lady Cougars with nine points as she hit a trio of first-half treys while also dishing out six assists. Swart added eight points off the bench, and senior forward Alexis Harkins and senior post Whitney Levering each scored six points with Harkins grabbing seven rebounds. MVNU shot 46.9 percent from the field (15-for-32), 36.4 percent from 3-point range (4-for-11), and 100 percent at the charity stripe (2-for-2). Kayla Mullins led Saint Francis with 11 first-half points, while Meghan Prible contributed six points and seven rebounds. Saint Francis shot 32.1 percent from the field (9-for-28), 25 percent from 3-point range (2-for-8), and 71.4 percent from the free throw line (5-for-7). With MVNU clinging to a slim 40-33 lead at the 14:17 mark of the second half after a layup by Saint Francis' Amanda Pedro, the Lady Cougars started what would prove to be the run that gave them the game by turning up their defense. Over the next 9:39, MVNU held Saint Francis without a field goal and gave up just one free throw as the Lady Cougars went on a rattled off 15 unanswered points to build a 55-34 lead before Mullins finally ended the drought with a jumper at the 4:38 mark. MVNU continued to add to its lead as the Lady Cougars led by as much as 68-41 with 1:51 to go before settling for the 70-48 victory. Harkins and Fletcher led the way for MVNU in their final regular-season home game as they each scored 15 points with Harkins adding 10 rebounds and Fletcher finishing with nine assists. Swart contributed 11 points and five blocked shots off the bench, and sophomore post Amy Daniels also contributed nine points. Levering rounded out the senior trio with eight points and 10 rebounds. The Lady Cougars shot 45.5 percent from the field (25-for-55), 29.4 percent from 3-point range (5-for-17), and 88.2 percent from the free throw line (15-for-17). MVNU held a 43-36 rebounding advantage Myqueisha Bratton paced Saint Francis with 14 points, while Mullins added 13 points. Prible also contributed eight points and nine rebounds. Saint Francis shot 30.6 percent from the field (19-for-62), 16.7 percent from 3-point range (3-for-18), and 53.8 percent from the free throw line (7-for-13). "This was a great effort to send our seniors out with," said MVNU coach Jason Foster. "Our girls were into this game from the start and played hard in a very physical game. Both teams needed this game in an attempt to improve their playoff spots, and the game was played that way. It seems that in these last few games we have found a little rhythm and have been able to find ways to get the win." "It was great to see our trio of seniors really all play well on the same night," Foster added. "Sierra and Lexi leading all scorers with 15 points and then Lexi and Whitney leading all rebounders with 10 boards. I am so proud of their individual efforts, but this game would not have played out this way unless we had the solid contributions of many others. Courtney's 11 points and five blocks were huge with Whitney on the bench with fouls. Everyone played a major role in this game today. Now, as we move into the playoffs, we need that kind of contribution to continue, and we need to take our momentum from these last three home games and play the same way on the road." With the victory and a win by Huntington (Ind.) University over Spring Arbor (Mich.) University, the Lady Cougars earned the No. 7 seed in the eight-team MCC Tournament that gets under way on Tuesday. MVNU will travel to face No. 2 seed Bethel (Ind.) College at 7 p.m. with the winner advancing to face the winner of the No. 3 seed Huntington/No. 4 seed Marian (Ind.) University contest on Friday, February 24 at 7 p.m. The MCC Tournament championship game will take place on February 27 at 7 p.m.

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