GOSHEN, Ind. — Austin Hayden poured in a career-high 22 points and Conner Funkhouser posted a double-double as the Goshen College men's basketball team edged Mount Vernon Nazarene University 72-63 Saturday afternoon in Crossroads League action.

Hayden made 8 of his 17 shots, including a 5-for-8 mark in the first half, as the freshman surpassed his previous best of 17 points. Funkhouser tallied 14 points on 6-of-9 shooting and pulled down 10 caroms, marking the second time this season he has reached double figures in both areas.

Dominique Bolden added 10 points for the Maple Leafs (14-10, 6-6 CL), who countered cold long-range shooting (26 percent beyond the arc) with foul shots (they were 23-for-28). 

"This was an absolute grind for both teams," said Goshen coach Neal Young. "We didn't play our best and I am sure (Mount Vernon Nazarene coach) Jared (Ronai) would say the same. That being said, I was very pleased with some of the toughness plays we made defensively and with the way that we responded every time MVNU got within a possession."

"Conner was our MVP in my mind because of the energy he brought, the timing of his points, and the great job he did defensively on multiple guys," Young said. "Trevor (Commissaris) played a great all-around game as well, guarding, rebounding, and making the right decision when he got his touches. Austin Hayden did everything except make 3s. He's getting better every week and it's because he's putting in time in the gym."

Goshen won the glass by a single rebound, 35 to 34; moreover, the Maple Leafs posted 11 second-chance points while holding the Cougars (11-13, 3-9 CL) to four on five offensive rebounds.

Jeremiah Roberts was a bright spot for the Cougars, scoring 23 points on 8-of-11 shooting.

The Maple Leafs raced out to a 13-4 lead but saw the edge trimmed to 31-25 at the intermission. The visiting Cougars tied the game three times in the second half, but never pulled ahead. The final tie came at 58-all with 4:54 left before Goshen scored on four straight possessions to go up 65-58.

"When it got late, I felt like the team that would win would be the team that could put together two or three scores in a row and create a mini-run," Young said. "Thankfully that was us. They shoot the 3 so well that stretching it out to a three-possession game was absolutely critical. "

The Maple Leafs will take a two-game winning streak with them into the final third of the Crossroads League schedule, which starts Tuesday against Indiana Wesleyan. Goshen is tied for sixth in the CL, but a game and a half out of holding fourth place on their own. Four of the league's 10 schools are 7-5 or 6-6 in conference play.

Tip-off Tuesday night is set for 7 p.m. in Gunden Gymnasium.