Dec. 11, 2008

12.11.08 - Oklahoma City, Okla. - The defending NAIA National Champions, Oklahoma City University (OCU) defeated the Mid-America Christian University men's basketball team 91-81 at the Gaulke Activity Center on Thursday evening.

With the loss the Evangels are 1-9 overall and 0-3 in conference play. The Stars are now 7-2 overall and 2-1 in conference play.

For the greater part of the first half both teams battled equally. There were three lead changes and four ties in the first 20 minutes of play. Neither team shot well behind the arc in the first half with each team shooting 4 for 13. MACU shot 41 percent from the field and OCU shot 45 percent.

MACU held the lead for the first ten minutes of play. With 9:15 left in the half and OCU leading by one (24-23) the Stars took over going on a 27-16 run making the half time score 39-51.

MACU tried to bounce back from the 12 point deficit but never made it back within five. 8:27 to go in the second half, OCU had a 19 point lead (77-58), their largest in the half. MACU was able to cut it down to eight with under a minute to play but they could not catch the Stars.

Brandon Williams led the Evangels with 21 points. Derek Winston had 12 points and five rebounds and Tyron Goldsmith had 11 points and six rebounds.

The Evangels finished the game shooting 41 percent from the field, 30 percent from behind the arc and 80 percent from the free throw line.

The Evangels will be back in action on Saturday, January 3rd when they take on conference opponent Lubbock Christian University at 8 p.m.