Gonzalez Leads MNU to Sweet 16

Postgame Interview with Jon Lewis and Jordynn Gonzalez

Full Game

Final Minutes

The Basics
Score: MNU 75 - Vanguard 64 (OT)
Record: MNU (19-4), VU (7-5)
Location: Friends University - Wichita, Kan.

WICHITA, Kan. - MNU advanced to the Final Site of the NAIA National Tournament with a 75-64 overtime victory over Vanguard on Saturday. In a defensive battle, MNU led 31-26 at halftime. The Lions chipped away and trailed by just 1 point heading to the 4th, then took a 4-point lead with just under 5 minutes remaining. Arielle Sargent nailed a 3 to cut the deficit to 1, but Vanguard again led by 4 with just over 1 minute left. Jordynn Gonzalez hit a 3, but the Lions answered with a bucket at the end of the shot clock to push their lead back to 3. With 15 seconds left, Gonzalez drilled another 3 to tie the game, and the defense held to send the game to overtime.

With the score tied in overtime, Mackenzie Loe hit a 3 to give the Pioneers some separation. Her bucket sparked a 10-0 run for a double digit MNU lead with 1:40 remaining. Vanguard converted a 5-point play to quickly cut the lead in half, but Sargent found Loe underneath on the next possession to push it back to 7. After a Vanguard free throw made it a 6-point game, Jordynn Gonzalez put the final nail in the coffin with a dagger 3 with just under a minute to go. MNU won the overtime 18-7 to advance to Sioux City.

Turning Point
Jordynn Gonzalez hit 2 threes in the final minute to send the game to overtime.

Individual Leaders
Jordynn Gonzalez recorded a career-high 22 points and 2 steals. Mackenzie Loe shot 7-12 for 18 points, 6 rebounds, 3 blocks, and 3 steals. TrEl'Shawn Smith had 16 points, 7 assists, and 4 steals. And Anna Roulston hauled in 12 rebounds (6 offensive) off the bench.

Inside the Box Score
Both teams made 8 threes, took 22 free throws, and recorded 27 defensive rebounds.

Up Next
The next game is Thursday in Sioux City, Iowa vs. #8 Clarke at 8:00.