March 1, 2008

3.1.08 - OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla.- The Mid-America Christian University Evangels lost the last home game of the year against the Northwestern Oklahoma State University Rangers in Sooner Athletic Conference play Saturday, March 1. The Rangers defeated the Evangels, 87-62.

MACU honored its seniors Saturday night; Tracy Wilkins, Donald Thorne, Stevan Thomas, Joe Brown, and Preston Cranford.

The Evangels struggled from the field in the first half, shooting 23% overall, and 33% from the free-throw line. NWOSU scored 11 points off of 14 MACU turnovers. The Rangers outscored the Evangels from the free-throw stripe, 24-8, while the NWOSU bench scored 30 points compared to 19 MACU bench points.

The Rangers jumped on the Evangels early, going on a 19-1 run to start the first half. MACU's first field goal came at the 11:34 mark of the first half. The Rangers stretched their lead to over twenty points with four minutes remaining in the first half.

MACU went into the locker room down at halftime to the Rangers, 44-20.

The Evangels played catch up the entire second half. The Evangels trimmed the lead to seventeen points mid-way through the second half, but NWOSU stretch its lead back to twenty points, and cruised to the win.

Wilkins scored a team high 17 points, and hit four three-pointers. Thorne contributed ten points, while Cranford went 4-for-4 from the three-point line and finished with 14 points. Thomas had five rebounds on the night.

The Evangels fall to 8-22 on the season, and 4-18 in SAC play.

MACU will play Rogers State University in the SAC Tournament held on the campus of Oklahoma Christian University in Edmond, Okla. Wednesday, March 5. Game time is slated for 11:45 a.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.