The Mount Vernon Nazarene University men's basketball team faced a challenging game against top-ranked Grace College, resulting in a 103-93 loss. The match took place on January 3 in Winona Lake, Indiana. During the first half, Grace College showcased strong shooting skills, achieving a 61.5% field goal percentage and making 11 three-pointers at a 68.8% success rate. This performance led to MVNU trailing by 29 points at halftime.
In the second half, MVNU improved its offensive play, shooting 63.2% from the field and scoring six three-pointers. The Cougars managed to reduce the deficit to six points with just over a minute remaining but ultimately could not overcome Grace's lead. Isaiah Brown led MVNU with 28 points, while Peyton Heiss contributed 23 points along with six rebounds and four assists.
Coach Ronai expressed pride in his team's effort, stating, "Really proud of our guys and their unbreakable spirit... Our guys continued to fight and made it a ball game the final five minutes." Looking ahead, MVNU will host Indiana Wesleyan University on January 7.
Mount Vernon Nazarene University is affiliated with the Crossroads League and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. It emphasizes community service and global outreach as part of its educational mission.
