Lady Cougars Improve to 3-0 with 72-50 Homecoming Win


	Lady Cougar Basketball Game Recap Lady Cougars Improve to 3-0 with 72-50 Homecoming Win written by Dave Parsons, Sports Information Director Game Boxscore MOUNT VERNON, Ohio (11-12-2011) - The Mount Vernon Nazarene University women's basketball team struggled with its shooting inside the arc, but the Lady Cougars nailed eight 3-pointers and went 24-for-34 at the free throw line to post a 72-50 victory over Wilberforce University on Saturday afternoon in the annual Homecoming game. MVNU (3-0) scored the first basket of the game on a jumper by senior forward Alexis Harkins *(left)* and the Lady Cougars would never trail as they built an early 10-4 lead just two and a half minutes into the game as senior guard Sierra Fletcher hit a pair of treys and Harkins added another basket. After the visiting Lady Bulldogs (0-5) closed the gap to 14-11 on a jumper by Karena Otta at the 12:14 mark, MVNU closed the half on a 27-9 run to take a 41-20 lead to the locker room at the break. Harkins and Fletcher both scored 11 points in the first half to lead the Lady Cougars. MVNU shot 33.3 percent from the field (13-for-39), 58.3 percent from 3-point range (7-for-12), and 57.1 percent from the free throw line (8-for-14). The second half was played a lot tighter with the Lady Cougars out-scoring Wilberforce 31-30. However, the damage had already done as the Lady Bulldogs were unable to get any closer than 19 points the rest of the way as MVNU posted the 72-50 non-conference victory. Fletcher finished with a game-high 21 points to go with four assists and four steals. Harkins added 13 points and seven rebounds, while Levering posted 10 points and eight rebounds. The Lady Cougars shot 28.6 percent from the field (20-for-70), 44.4 percent from 3-point range (8-for-18), and 70.6 percent from the free throw stripe (24-for-34). Wilberforce was led by Tanadra Spivey with 13 points and 12 rebounds, while Danisha Brown and Danielle Lewist each tossed in 10 points. The Lady Bulldogs shot an identical 28.6 percent from the field (20-for-70) and a dismal 18.2 percent at the charity stripe (2-for-11). They also committed 26 turnovers. "Today, we made another step in a good direction," said MVNU coach Jason Foster. "We did a good job of playing physical and really worked hard to battle (Wilberforce) on the boards. I also thought our offensive production really improved. We played a strong physical team in Wilberforce and were still able to work the ball around and get good shots." "The team is getting more comfortable with each day we spend on the court together learning about each other's strengths and how they will then all work together," Foster added. "Once again, our defense played very strong and aggressive from the start and I think that really sets the tone for us. The Lady Cougars will be back in action at home on Tuesday as they close out their season-opening four-game homestand with a 6 p.m. non-conference tip against the University of Cincinnati-Clermont.

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