Jan. 5, 2008

11.5.08 - OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. - Mid-America Christian University picked up its first Sooner Athletic Conference win Saturday, Jan 5 against the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma Drovers. The Evangels prevailed over the Drovers 66-63.

"This is a great win for our program," Head Coach Willie Holley said. "It feels good to get that first conference win."

The Evangels used a strong shooting performance, which included 44% from the three-point line. MACU pounded USAO on the boards, out rebounding USAO 45-34.

USAO jumped out to an early 10-3 lead, but MACU responded by going on a 20-10 run and pulled ahead 23-20 at the 3:18 mark. The Drovers scored seven of the next ten points and went into the locker room with a 27-26 halftime lead.

"I was pleased we were able to sustain their run in the first half and get back in the ball game," Coach Holley said.

The Drovers jumped on the Evangels early in the second half, stretching their lead to six points, but MACU bounced back and gained a one-point advantage mid-way through the game. The rest of the game remained back and forth, with neither team holding more than a one possession advantage.

The Evangels controlled the ball with under a minute remaining. Senior Donald Thorne received a pass from Senior Joe Brown and put down a dunk that put the Evangels ahead for good with 35 seconds left in the game. The Evangels held off the Drovers in the final seconds to hold on to the win.

Senior Preston Cranford scored a team high 14 points off the bench. Thorne finished the game with 12 points and five rebounds.

The Evangels improve to 5-7 overall and 1-4 in conference play.

MACU will battle Oklahoma Baptist University on the road Thursday, Jan 10 at 8:00 p.m.

If you are interested in playing men's basketball for MACU or would like more information about the men's basketball program, contact Coach Charles Goar at 405-692-3267 or via email at cgoar@macu.edu.