SAU's Nelson Reaches 2,000-Career Points in Win at MVNU

SAU's Nelson Reaches 2,000-Career Points in Win at MVNU
January 25, 2025

MOUNT VERNON, Ohio – The Spring Arbor University women's basketball team shook off a slow start to pick up its fourth consecutive victory Saturday, defeating Mount Vernon Nazarene University 80-75.

Alana Nelson finished with a game-high 25 points, putting her over 2,000 points for her career. She totaled 482 points in two seasons at Northwood University and has racked up 1,533 points in her time at Spring Arbor. Her 1,533 points puts her eighth on SAU's all-time scoring list.

Spring Arbor improves to 14-6 overall and currently sits fourth in the Crossroads League standings with a 7-3 record in conference play.

 

THE BASICS

SCORE: Spring Arbor 80, Mount Vernon Nazarene 75

LOCATION: Mount Vernon, Ohio

RECORDS: Spring Arbor 14-6 (7-3 CL), Mount Vernon Nazarene 12-8 (4-6 CL)

 

GAME NOTES

  • Spring Arbor started slow, hitting just 6-of-24 shots in the first quarter, and trailed 23-16 after the first 10 minutes.
  • The Cougars fell behind by 16, 32-16, early in the second quarter, but slowly began to claw their way back. Alana Nelson finished with nine points in the period, including a bucket in the closing seconds, to help SAU get within one, 37-36, heading into halftime.
  • An 11-3 run to start the third quarter gave SAU its first lead of the game. The Cougars would stretch their lead to as many as 13. However, a late scoring spurt by MVNU closed the gap to two, 58-56, entering the final quarter.
  • The fourth quarter was back-and-forth with the lead changing hands four times. The home team led 73-72 at the 2:21 mark, but back-to-back baskets from Alayna Kulesza and Megan Zeitz put SAU in front for good. Nelson and Emma Smieska would secure that win at the free throw line down the stretch.
  • Along with her 25 points, Nelson hauled in 15 rebounds to record her ninth double-double of the season.
  • Megan Zeitz finished with 19 points and seven boards followed by Emma Smieska with 10 points while Sydney Aunins chipped in nine points and seven rebounds.

 

UP NEXT

Spring Arbor plays host to No. 17 Marian University on Wednesday, Jan. 29. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. from the McDonald Athletic Center.