MNU Athletics

The MNU basketball teams each picked up a victory vs. Baker on Thursday. The women picked up a big win and handed the Wildcats their first conference loss by holding their opponents to 32% shooting from the field. The teams were evenly matched in the first half, and the biggest lead was 5 points. Baker used an 11-4 run to take a 2-point lead at halftime, but MNU came out strong. Baker was held to 20% shooting in the second half, but the Pioneers couldn't pull away. MNU finally put some distance between themselves and Baker with a 5-point burst to take a 6-point lead with 6 minutes remaining, and late free throws by Hadleigh Meek and Heather Cunard sealed the 62-53 victory.

Bethany Rexroth lead the way with 19 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 blocks. Meek had 15 points. And Cunard had 8 points and 8 rebounds.

The Pioneers move to 10-8 (5-3 HAAC). The next game is Saturday the 23rd at Culver-Stockton (3-14, 0-9) at 2:00 PM.

Mark Ball's career-high 12 points highlighted the men's team's 78-51 drubbing of Baker on Thursday. The Pioneers jumped out to a 6-0 lead and never looked back. The lead was 12 at halftime and MNU kept the hammer down in the second half, winning by 27. The Pioneers stifling defense held Baker to 31% shooting from the field and out-rebounded them 37-25.

Brenton Bell led the offense with 19 points and 5 assists. Ball had 12 points and 3 assists. Ben Swinger had 11 points and a career-high 14 rebounds. And Vince Thompkins was solid with 9 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals.

The Pioneers are 10-8 (4-4 HAAC). The next game is Saturday at Culver-Stockton (4-15, 2-7) at 4:00 PM. The postponed Benedictine game has been reschedule for Tuesday the 26th at home at 5:30/7:30.