March 12, 2008
3.12.08 - DALLAS, Texas - The Mid-America Christian University Evangels ended their season with a loss in the National Christian College Athletic Association Division I Central Region Tournament Championship Game Wednesday, March 12. The Evangels lost to the Dallas Baptist University Patriots, 81-76.
"We played hard tonight," MACU Head Coach Willie Holley said. "Dallas Baptist is a good team and made the shots down the stretch. We did not make the shots down the stretch and that was the difference."
The Evangels shot 47% overall, while DBU managed 57% from the field. MACU out rebounded the Patriots, 39-28, and grabbed sixteen offensive rebounds. The Patriots bench outscored the MACU bench, 26-18, on the night.
The beginning of the first half was back and forth, consisting of four ties in the first four minutes of the first half. DBU took the lead, 8-6, at the 17:37 mark in the first half, but MACU answered with a 14-2 run in a span of five minutes, leading 20-10..
The Patriots began to chip away at the MACU lead and tied the game, 28-28, with four minutes left to go in the first half. DBU closed the first half on a 13-2 run and held a 41-30 advantage at halftime.
DBU continued to stretch its lead early in the second half, holding the largest lead of the game, 60-45, at the 13:02 mark. The Evangels came storming back, going on a 17-3 run and pulled within one point with 7:49 remaining in the game.
The Evangels tied the game, 69-69, with less than six minutes left in the game, but failed to take the lead. DBU drained a three-point basket on the ensuing possession, putting them up, 72-69. The Evangels pulled within a single point two times in the final three minutes of the game, but never got over the hump.
Senior Stevan Thomas finished the last game of his career with 20 points and seven rebounds. Junior Tyron Goldsmith had 13 points and six rebounds off the bench. Senior Donald Thorne contributed 15 points and seven rebounds, while Freshman Donell Lewis chipped in 15 points.
The Evangels finish the season 9-25.
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.
