MNU traveled to Graceland on Thursday and took a pair of games from the Yellowjackets. In the women's game, Bethany Rexroth dominated play as the Pioneers used an 18-8 spurt to take a 12-point lead to close out the first half. The lead was pushed to 19 early in the second half and MNU never looked back. Graceland was able to close the gap to 6 with a 13-0 run, but MNU held them off and extended the lead back to double digits for the remainder of the game.
Rexroth had a career-high 32 points to go along with 12 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks, and 2 steals. Hadleigh Meek contributed 15 points, 3 assists, and 3 steals. Beth Keeley had 13 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists, and 2 steals. And Heather Cunard was solid with 9 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists.
In the men's game, 3 players reached career highs as the game went to overtime. The Pioneers jumped out to a 6-point lead and extended it to 11 with six minutes to go in the half. Graceland fought back to trail be 7 at halftime, but MNU came out strong and pushed the lead back to 11 after a few minutes. Graceland chipped away and finally caught the Pioneers with 3 minutes remaining in regulation. The Yellowjackets took a 2-point lead after a couple of free throws, but Rustin Down nailed a 3-pointer to take it right back. After the teams traded baskets, Graceland found themselves at the free throw line with a chance to take the lead. But only one of the free throws found the net, and the game went into overtime.
Leading scorer Brenton Bell fouled out late in regulation, and freshman guard Rustin Dowd took over the extra period. He scored 10 of MNU's 16 overtime points, salting the game away at the free throw line as the Pioneers took control late.
Bell finished with a career-high 32 points to go along with 4 assists. Dowd also had a career-high 31 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals. Vince Thompkins scored a career-high 14 points. And Andrew Crotty pulled down a career-high 14 rebounds.
The next game for the Pioneers is Saturday at home vs. Missouri Valley. The women start at 2 and the men play immediately afterwards.
