MOUNT VERNON, Ohio (Interstat) — Steele Meister had 17 points, eight rebounds and three assists, and Mount Vernon Nazarene held off Kentucky Christian for a 77-75 men’s NAIA basketball victory on Tuesday at Ariel Arena. Meister was the top star for the Cougars, who improved to 2-2. Kentucky Christian, known as the Knights, fell to 2-1. Brandon Williams led all scorers with 19 points for Kentucky Christian, and Reed Platfoot added 11 points, seven rebounds, four assists and two blocks for Mount Vernon Nazarene. Kentucky Christian scored 34 points in the first quarter and 41 the rest of the way, while Mount Vernon Nazarene scored 36 in the first quarter and 41 the rest. Mount Vernon Nazarene took a 36-34 lead after the first quarter.

Meister finished with 17 points, eight rebounds and three assists for Mount Vernon Nazarene. He had 10 points and 11 rebounds against Defiance, 20 points and 10 rebounds against Milligan, and 19 points and 11 rebounds at Olivet Nazarene in his previous three games. Brandon Williams paced Kentucky Christian with 19 points, five rebounds and three assists. Reed Platfoot contributed 11 points, seven rebounds, four assists and two blocks for the Cougars. Blake Reed scored 14 points for the Knights, Xarek Sarakatsannis had 10 points and three rebounds, LeMar Northington II added 13 points and three rebounds, and Jayden Loydd chipped in 10 points, four rebounds and three assists. Kieran Granville scored 10 points in 12 minutes for Mount Vernon Nazarene, Abib Abib had six points and five rebounds, and Bryce Snell added five points and six assists.

The Cougars shot 29 of 57 from the floor, 6 of 19 from 3-point range and 13 of 19 from the free-throw line. Kentucky Christian was 26 of 55 overall, 8 of 19 from beyond the arc and 15 of 21 at the line. Mount Vernon Nazarene held a 34-29 rebounding advantage, including an 8-7 edge on the offensive glass. The Cougars blocked three shots. Kentucky Christian had eight assists and 15 turnovers, while Mount Vernon Nazarene had six assists and 16 turnovers. Kentucky Christian committed 16 fouls and Mount Vernon Nazarene committed 19. Kentucky Christian scored 75 points on 73 possessions for an offensive rating of 102.8. Mount Vernon Nazarene scored 77 points on 74 possessions for an offensive rating of 104.0.

The first half was a back-and-forth affair. Keaton Baird opened the scoring with two free throws for Kentucky Christian. LeMar Northington II hit a jumper and a 3-pointer early. Brandon Williams sparked Kentucky Christian with a series of layups late in the first quarter. Blake Reed hit three 3-pointers in the first half. Kelton Teasley added a dunk at the end of the first quarter. In the second quarter, Xarek Sarakatsannis hit a jumper and a 3-pointer. For Mount Vernon Nazarene, Steele Meister scored inside and from beyond the arc, and Reed Platfoot was active in the paint. Kieran Granville provided a spark off the bench with 10 points in 12 minutes. Abib Abib made a layup and four free throws. Grant Burkholder hit a 3-pointer and two free throws. Jayden Loydd hit a 3-pointer and added free throws late in the second quarter. The game remained close throughout, and Mount Vernon Nazarene’s rebounding edge and free-throw shooting helped secure the win.

Kentucky Christian had won two of its first three games, including a win at Bluefield and a home victory over Cumberland. Mount Vernon Nazarene had beaten Milligan before losses to Defiance and Olivet Nazarene. Kentucky Christian next hosts Ohio Christian. Mount Vernon Nazarene hosts Ohio Christian.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Mount Vernon Nazarene 81, Kentucky Christian 79. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Mount Vernon Nazarene with a 95.4 percent probability to win.