MOUNT VERNON, Ohio – A good start defensively and a solid fourth-quarter offensive showing helped the Kenyon Ladies (8-3) basketball team earn a 63-55 win at Mount Vernon Nazarene University on Wednesday night at Ariel Arena.
Paige Matijasich led the team in scoring with 19 points which included a 3-for-5 clip from downtown.
Ellie Schaub added 12 points while
Grace Connery scored in double figures for the third straight game with 10.
About midway through the first, the Cougars did themselves no favors as they turned it over five times and missed all four of their shots. Kenyon used that to attain an 8-0 lead with Schaub scoring four of those points.
Mount Vernon finally got on the board on its next two possessions and brought the tally to 8-5. However, the Ladies kept their advantage as
Amanda Carroll and Matijasich each scored to close the first with a 13-9 lead.
In the second, the Ladies were able to extend their lead by double digits.
Jessica Gerber drove around two defenders left side and dished off to
Bridget Molnar who scored a layup, moving the visitors ahead 21-11 with 6:23 remaining. Following that make, the Ladies got out of rhythm.
Kenyon turned the ball over six times, made just one of five attempts and allowed MVNU to fight back. Dani Ellerbrock scored with 2:58 to bring the count to 23-20 and two possessions later, Kayla Hovorka drained a three-ball to tie the game. That would be the last of the scoring for the Cougars as
Lane Davis hit a free throw to move Kenyon back up 24-23.
After halftime, the Ladies, with the help of Matijasich, pulled slightly ahead.
The junior scored the team's first six points of the third and moved the scoreboard to 30-23. Later, a
Molly Folks and-one conversion pushed Kenyon up eight, 38-30, with about five minutes left. The Cougars had one more run in them and by the end of the period trailed by four, 43-39.
In the fourth, the Ladies hit 7-of-12 from the field, which included four 3-pointers, and never gave the home team a chance to get back in it. Matijasich started the period with a step-back three-pointer and she later hit another to move the scoreboard to 57-46. The closest Mount Vernon got the rest of the way was four points.
The Ladies will now break for finals. Their next game will take place at the Fort Lauderdale (FL) Tournament on December 28 against Ramapo College.
