SW Indiana News

Dunn Hospitality Classic Ends With Mighty Oaks Dropping Hard-Fought Game Against Mount Vernon Nazarene

In the final game of the Dunn Hospitality Classic, the Mighty Oaks faced the Cougars of Mount Vernon Nazarene University. The Oaks led much of the first half, including by as many as seven points, entering the locker room with a 31-26 lead. However, MVNU responded early in the second period of play, taking the lead early into the second frame and never looked back, holding off multiple challenges from the OCU side to win 68-60. 

Drake Moore led all scorers in the contest, notching 15 points in the game, despite shooting 5-14 from the field, including 0-4 from three point range, but did make all five foul shots. Allen Sims was hampered with foul trouble but managed to score 12 points on 6-9 shooting, playing just 11 minutes. Tyquez Priester added eight points, with seven each coming from DJ Redding and Tanner Toopes. Moore also led the way for the OCU side in rebounds with seven, while Domantas Sakickas added a team best three assists.

Kade Ruegsegger paced the Cougars with 14 counters, making 4-15 from from the floor, including 1-8 from beyond the arc, and scoring on 5-9 from the charity stripe. Eric McLaughlin came up with a double-double in the win, scoring 13 points and hauling in a game high 12 rebounds. Kyle Kegley came off the bench to contribute a double-double of his own, with 12 points and 10 boards, while Trent Koning added a dozen points on his own. Ruegsegger handed out a game best five assists while Milton Gage came up with four steals in the contest. 

As a team, the Oaks connected on 23-55 (41.8%) of their field goal tries, going 4-18 (22.2%) from three point range. MVNU scored on 21-50 (42.0%) of their shot attempts, while being held to 3-22 (13.6%) from long range. OCU went 10-13 (76.9%) from the foul line compared to 23-30 (76.7%) for the visiting Cougars.

Overall, Oakland City managed to hold a 34-33 rebounding edge, thanks to an 8-7 lead on the offensive boards. Assists in the game were 9-7 in favor of Mount Vernon Nazarene, who also led as a team in steals (11-2), blocked shots (6-2), and turnovers (18-11). 

Original source can be found here.