Pireu Surpasses 1,000 Career Points, but Lady Cougars lose at Taylor, 97-85
The Mount Vernon Nazarene University women’s basketball team (13-11, 7-5) traveled to Upland, Indiana, to face Taylor University (11-10, 5-4) on Tuesday, Feb. 1. Despite the 97-85 loss at the hands of the Trojans, the Lady Cougars were able to see one of their own achieve a career milestone. Entering Tuesday’s game, junior Rylee Pireu needed just 13 points to reach 1,000 for her MVNU women’s basketball career. Pireu came out strong, reaching the milestone with a layup almost six minutes into the first quarter. Along with the new milestone, Pireu had one of the best games of her MVNU career as she finished with 29 points on 9-12 shooting from the floor. The 29 points for Pireu were just four off her career-high of 33 points from Jan. 12 at Bethel University.
Despite the heroic effort from Pireu, MVNU could not get stops on the defensive end of the floor. Offensively, MVNU was able to put 85 points on the scoreboard, but it was unable to keep up with Taylor in the shootout in the end.
Along with her 29 points, Pireu also finished with four rebounds and three steals. Maggie Coe and Maggie Coblentz were the only other two Lady Cougars to score in double-figures with 12 and 10 points, respectively. Emily Walker finished with eight points and six assists.
“I am really proud of Rylee for accomplishing this milestone,” MVNU head coach Amanda Short said. “She has worked so hard day in and day out. I knew watching her in high school that she was going to be a great scorer at the college level, and that is exactly what she has done. It has been fun to coach her these last few seasons and I cannot wait to see what else she is going to accomplish.”
Ruegsegger’s 25 points lead visiting Cougars past Taylor
Behind a solid performance from Kade Ruegsegger, the Mount Vernon Nazarene University men’s basketball team (16-8, 7-5) defeated Taylor University (8-16, 4-9) 81-73, on Tuesday, Feb. 1. The win for MVNU proved to be a big one as it tightened their hold on the fifth spot in the Crossroads League standings and keeps them just one game behind Grace College at fourth. The victory was one that was hard-fought for the Cougars, as there were seven lead changes in the second half.
Finally, with the score tied at 69-69, MVNU was able to break through and take the lead for good. A Ruegsegger jumper with 4:18 left put MVNU ahead. After getting crucial stops and showing strong late-game execution of offense, MVNU closed the game on a 12-4 run to clinch the victory. Ruegsegger was the hot-hand for MVNU, finishing the game with a team-high 25 points on 8-12 shooting from the floor. Ruegsegger had six rebounds and three blocks as well for the Cougars. Eric McLaughlin put together a strong game with 16 points on 6-10 shooting, and was 4-8 from three. Kyle Kegley had 14 points and six rebounds for the Cougars and Carter Pline had 10 points, six rebounds and two assists.
“I am really proud of our guys,” MVNU coach Jared Ronia said. “Taylor is such a tough team inside Odle Arena, and I thought they played really well. Our guys made big plays down the stretch on both ends and that’s what it takes on the road in this league. We’re excited to get back to work tomorrow.”
