Jan. 22, 2009
1.22.09 - Oklahoma City, Okla.- In front of the largest crowd of the season, the Mid-America Christian University men's basketball team broke a nine game loosing streak and gave their head coach, Willie Holley, his 700th win.
The Evangels defeated Sooner Athletic Conference opponent Saint Gregory's University 70-55 on Thursday night at the Gaulke Activity Center. The Cavaliers kept the game close in the first half with three ties. MACU had the largest lead in the first 20 minutes leading by 11 with 2:56 to play. SGU was able to cut the Evangels lead to five going into the locker room at half time (33-28).
MACU never lost the lead in the second half. A Derek Winston three-pointer with 13:39 to play gave the Evangels a 45-34 edge over the Cavaliers and the momentum. As the time dwindled down it became more apparent that the Evangels had secured Holley's 700th win.
"The journey to the 700th win is what means something to me," MACU Head Men's Basketball Coach Willie Holley said. " The most gratifying component for me is each and every player who has contributed to my career. The players who made tremendous sacrifices and the hours of travel where God protected us during rain, sleet and snow. The wins don't impact me as much as the players and coaches that have been with me over the last 35 years. "
Holley, an Oak Grove, Louisiana native, started his coaching career and the MACU men's basketball program in 1973. He is the only basketball coach and athletic director MACU has ever had. He is the winningest coach in Evangel history.Over the last 35 years Holley has started and coached every sport at Mid-America except soccer and golf.
Holley has been named NCCAA Division II Coach of the Year four times (1984-1985, 1988-1889, 2001-2002, 2003-2004). He was inducted into the NCCAA Hall of Fame in 1997.
Under the direction of Holley, the Evangels have made 20 NCCAA National Tournament appearances winning four NCCAA Division II National Championships (1998, 2003, 2004, 2007). He has coached 15 NCCAA All-Americans and won 18 NCCAA Regional Championships.Holley led the Evangel athletic program to the next level by joining the NAIA and SAC.
Holley, 62, played one season at Ranger Junior College in Ranger, Texas. He graduated from the University of Louisiana-Monroe, with a bachelors in Business Administration.
