March 11, 2008
3.11.08 - DALLAS, Texas- The Mid-America Christian University Evangels advanced to the National Christian College Athletic Association Division I Central Region Tournament Championship Game, Tuesday, March 11. The Evangels defeated the Southwestern Assemblies of God University Lions, 85-82.
"We played well tonight," MACU Head Coach Willie Holley said. "We overcame adversity in the second half and made the crucial shots down the stretch. I am proud of our team."
The Evangels out rebounded the Lions, 48-26, including 18 offensive rebounds. MACU scored 14 second chance points, while holding SAGU to just six second chance points. The Evangels shot 38% from behind the three-point arc.
MACU scored the first bucket of the game, but SAGU scored the next four points and took its only lead in the first half, 4-2, with 19:09 remaining in the first half. Junior Derek Winston drained a three-pointer on the ensuing possession and grabbed the 5-4 lead.
The Evangels held the lead throughout the rest of the first half, despite the Lions pulling within a single possession several times in the first half. MACU stretched its lead to double digits at the nine minute mark, and held the largest lead of the game, 29-17, with 6:32 left in the first half.
SAGU closed the first half on a 21-10 run and trimmed the MACU lead, 39-38, at halftime.
The second half was back and forth. The Evangels continued to hold the lead through the beginning of the second half, but failed to stretch their lead back to double-digits. SAGU gained its first lead since the first half, 53-52, with 12:52 remaining in the game.
MACU held a three-point lead at the ten minute mark, but the Lions went on a 15-5 run and held their largest lead of the game, 70-63, at the 5:41 mark in the second half. The Lions continued to hold their lead, until Winston hit a bucket with just under two minutes left in the game to give the Evangel an 80-79 lead.
SAGU regained the lead, 81-80, with 1:38 left to go in the game, but Senior Tracy Wilkins hit a three-point basket on the ensuing possession, which gave the Evangels the lead for good.
Freshman Donell Lewis scored a career high 21 points and had six assists. Senior Stevan Thomas finished the game with a double-double, 12 points and 12 rebounds. Wilkins and Winston added 12 points a piece. Junior Tyron Goldsmith chipped in 16 points, while Senior Donald Thorne contributed 10 points and nine rebounds.
The Evangels improve to 9-24 on the season.
MACU will play Dallas Baptist University in the NCCAA Central Region Championship Game Wednesday, March 12. Game time is set for 7:00 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.
