MOUNT VERNON – The Mount Vernon Nazarene University men’s basketball team (3-2, 0-0 CL) was beaten by Olivet Nazarene University (2-1, 0-0 CCAC) in the closing seconds as the Tigers came away with a 68-67 win on Friday in Ariel Arena.
The Cougars and Tigers faced each other for the first time since the 2018-19 season on Friday evening, and the game would go down as an instant classic. Both teams fought hard before a packed stands at Ariel Arena on Homecoming.
Olivet Nazarene held a slight advantage over the hosts going into the half, 35-32. However, the Cougars stayed in the game throughout the entirety of the second half.
The Cougars trailed by five points with only 2:08 left to play. A couple of threes courtesy of Eric McLaughlin and Kade Ruegsegger brought them within range in the closing seconds. With under 10 seconds remaining, Carter Jones found Kyle Kegley under the basket, and the senior from Mount Gilead made the go-ahead layup to give MVNU a 67-66 lead. Then with four seconds left, ONU’s Landon Pflederer drove down the court and drew a foul to head to the free-throw line with the game on the line. Pflederer, who was 8-for-8 from the charity stripe on the night, hit both of his free throws to give the visitors the one-point victory.
Despite the loss, MVNU was buoyed by the tight contest it played against a team receiving votes in the national poll.
Ruegsegger led the Cougars on offense, finishing with 21 points, seven rebounds and three assists. Kegley scored 13 points on the night and grabbed 11 rebounds. Gichairo Berika scored 10 points off the bench and had six rebounds. The Dutchman also blocked two shots on the night. McLaughlin contributed with eight points, six boards and five assists, and Milton Gage had eight points, five assists and four rebounds.
“I’m really proud of our group and their fight," MVNU coach Jared Ronai said. "Unfortunate ending, but this will be a springboard of growth for our group. Excited to get better tomorrow.”
