Cougars move to 10-3 on the season

The MVNU men’s basketball team (10-3) picked up a conference loss and a non-conference victory last week.

MVNU sophomore Brett Vipperman led the Cougars with 18 points in the 87-67 loss to Spring Arbor University (7-9) on Tuesday.

Vipperman also pulled down six rebounds and dished out three assists.

Freshman Trey McBride racked up 17 points and junior Joey Schmitz scored 12 points.

Cougars Head Coach Jared Ronai looks to improve the Cougars defensively.

“We have lost our identity on the defensive end these past two games and we have to figure a few things out,” he said, referring to the Cougars’ loss against Spring Arbor and an 88-67 loss to Taylor University the week before.

On Saturday the Cougars bounced back with an 81-75 win over Cincinnati Christian University.

Four Cougars scored in double digits in the victory.

Schmitz tallied 18 points, McBride poured in 17 points, senior Deontae Cole scored 14 points and senior Josh Ashwill added 14 points.

Ashwill also pulled down nine rebounds and recorded six assists for the Cougars.

“We just took the game one play at a time and executed down the stretch,” Cole said of the victory.

Ronai was proud of how the Cougars played down low.

“We did a great job of attacking the basket which created a lot of opportunities,” Ronai said, adding that his Cougars defended and executed the plays well.

“I’m excited about or growth today,” Ronai said.

The Cougars will take the week off to focus on academics and final exams before taking on Shawnee State University on Saturday.

“We have to be locked in during practice and work hard every day between now and Saturday,” Cole said as the Cougars prepare for the matchup.

The Cougars will travel to Portsmouth, Ohio, to take on the Bears at 3 p.m. on Saturday.