On Wednesday, February 11, the Mount Vernon Nazarene University men’s basketball team lost to No. 3 Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, Indiana, with a final score of 103–65. The Cougars now hold a record of 14-11 overall and 6-9 in the Crossroads League.
The game saw Indiana Wesleyan take an early lead and extend it throughout both halves. By halftime, the Wildcats led 47-23. In the second half, Indiana Wesleyan continued to dominate, building their advantage to as many as 38 points. The Wildcats capitalized on Mount Vernon Nazarene's 13 turnovers for 21 points and outrebounded them 38–19. Indiana Wesleyan shot 61.5% from the field and made 56% of their three-point attempts.
Isaiah Brown led Mount Vernon Nazarene with 13 points, shooting perfectly from the free-throw line and efficiently from the field. Abib Abib contributed 11 points, while Kieran Granville added 10 points and four rebounds. Coach Ronai said, "Lucky Arena has always been a tough place to play. We’ve won here, and we’ve gotten beat up here in the past. We have to learn and grow from tonight and not let tonight beat us tomorrow. Time to grow and get better."
The Cougars will return home on Saturday, February 14 to face No. 11 Bethel University at Ariel Arena at 3:00 p.m., according to MVNU Athletics.
Mount Vernon Nazarene University is a private Christian teaching university serving traditional age students, graduate students, and working adults on its main campus in Mount Vernon, Ohio. The university enrolls nearly 2,200 students from various states and countries and emphasizes academic excellence, spiritual growth, and service to community and church.
According to its official about page, Mount Vernon Nazarene University is a member of the Crossroads League and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. The university emphasizes community service and global outreach through its programs, drawing from Wesleyan evangelical traditions for cultural development. It also focuses on educating the whole person for lifelong learning and service. The campus features facilities such as the R.R. Hodges Chapel Auditorium and Center for Student Success. It is affiliated with the East Central Educational Region of the Church of the Nazarene, governed by a board of trustees elected by regional districts. Dr. Carson Castleman began his tenure as president in 2023.
