Fletcher and Defense Leads MVNU to Comeback Win


	Lady Cougar Basketball Game Recap Fletcher and Defense Leads MVNU to Comeback Win written by Dave Parsons, Sports Information Director Game Boxscore WEST MIFFLIN, Pa. (11-19-2011) - The Mount Vernon Nazarene University women's basketball team got 26 points from senior guard Sierra Fletcher and the Lady Cougars' defense limited Point Park (Pa.) University to just 14.8 percent shooting from the field in the second half as MVNU posted a 55-48 non-conference road win on Saturday afternoon to remain unbeaten on the year. The visiting Lady Cougars (5-0) never led in the first half and trailed by as much as 29-18 with 3:45 left before the break when April Austin nailed a 3-pointer for the host Lady Pioneers (4-3). Then, MVNU used a 9-0 run to pull within 29-27 before going to the locker room at the half down 31-27. Senior forward Alexis Harkins fueled the comeback with four points, freshman forward Ainsleigh Krause added a three-point play, and junior post Courtney Swart made a layup. Fletcher *(left)* led the Lady Cougars with 10 points in the first half, while Harkins added eight points. MVNU shot 30.6 percent from the field (11-for-36), 25 percent from 3-point range (2-for-8), and made all three of its free throw attempts. Austin paced Point Park with 10 points in the first half, and Kristen Beatty added eight points. The Lady Pioneers shot 48.3 percent from the field (14-for-29), 37.5 percent from 3-point range (3-for-8), and missed all four of their free throws. Two straight 3-pointers by Fletcher and a layup by sophomore post Amy Daniels to open the second half gave the Lady Cougars the lead for the first time in the game at 35-31 with 18:31 still to play. Fletcher's second trey at the 19:05 mark gave her 1,000 points for her career as she became the 22nd player in program history to reach that milestone. There were three lead changes and two ties over the next eight minutes with Point Park clinging to a 41-38 lead with 10:48 left after a pair of free throws by Maeve Gallagher. A basket each by Harkins, junior forward Emily Steveley, and junior guard Melissa Eickholt started a 9-0 run for MVNU that was capped off with another trey from Fletcher as the Lady Cougars took a 47-41 advantage with 7:31 to go. The Lady Pioneers pulled within 47-45 on a jumper by Kristen Beatty with 4:11 remaining, but Krause hit two free throws and a jumper and Fletcher went 4-for-4 at the charity stripe as MVNU was able to hold off Point Park 55-48 down the stretch. Fletcher finished with a game-high 26 points on 7-for-11 shooting from the field that included a 6-for-7 performance from 3-point range and a 6-for-6 showing at the free throw line. She also grabbed seven rebounds. Harkins added 10 points and seven rebounds, and Swart contributed eight rebounds and three blocked shots. Krause also tossed in seven points off the bench. The Lady Cougars shot 36.4 percent from the field (20-for-55), 40 percent from 3-point range (6-for-15), and 90 percent from the free throw line (9-for-10). MVNU also held a 46-35 rebounding advantage. Beatty led Point Park with 13 points, while Emily Schartner added 12 points and eight rebounds. Austin also tossed in 10 points. The Lady Pioneers shot 32.1 percent from the field (18-for-56) after going just 4-for-27 from the field in the second half (14.8 percent). They also shot 23.5 percent from 3-point range (4-for-17) and 44.4 percent from the free throw line (8-for-18). "Our defense really did a great job today," said MVNU coach Jason Foster. "We had some great timely stops and really worked hard on the boards to limit Point Park's offensive opportunities. This was a great test for us. It was our first chance to go on the road and play in some unfamiliar surroundings. We got great contributions from everyone. Sierra led us in scoring and really helped to light a fire under us. Courtney had a big block with late in the game that really helped move it from a two-possession game to a three-possession game. It was a good, physical game, and I think it helped to get us ready for conference play." The Lady Cougars will begin Mid-Central College Conference play on Tuesday night at 7 p.m. when MVNU travels to NAIA Division II No. 24 Grace (Ind.) College (6-2).

Site Map