Mission tipped off its 2025–26 season on the road Thursday night, traveling to Olathe, Kansas, to take on MidAmerica Nazarene University in the season opener. The match up served as an early test for the Patriots, who entered the year looking to establish rhythm and chemistry in live competition.
Mission started strong, striking first on a basket from Sterling Vinson and trading scores with MNU in the opening minutes. Justin Gill found his offensive rhythm early, attacking the paint and connecting on several mid-range looks to help the Patriots stay within reach. A three-pointer from Sammy Ishimwe and steady contributions from the starting group kept Mission close through much of the first half. As the game settled in, Mission continued to find success offensively, shooting over 45 percent from the floor and knocking down five threes before halftime. Despite the effort, MNU carried a 51–44 lead into the break.
Coming out of the locker room, Mission looked to cut into the deficit and did so behind efficient shooting and depth production off the bench. Gill continued his strong night, while guard Taco Biggs provided a spark from the perimeter, hitting four shots from beyond the arc. Jordyn Turner brought energy on both ends, attacking in transition and creating scoring chances for teammates. The Patriots put together several runs behind improved ball movement and second-chance points, but MNU's pace on the offensive end made it difficult to close the gap.
Mission finished the night shooting 46 percent from the field and 39 percent from three, showing encouraging offensive balance in its first outing of the season. Gill led all Patriot scorers with 17 points, followed by Biggs with 14, Turner with 10, and Judd Thoma with eight off the bench. Lawson Beem and Sammy Ishimwe each added seven points in a solid all-around effort for Mission.
Though the final score favored MNU, 109–84, the opener provided valuable minutes across the roster and a strong foundation for Mission to build upon moving forward. The Patriots will return to action next week at the MacArthur Trust Classic, where they'll face Stanton University on October 31.
