Nov. 29, 2009

11.29.09 - Joplin Mo.- The Mid-America Christian University men's basketball team dropped two exhibition games against NCAA Division II foes Missouri Southern State University (83-77) on Friday evening and Pittsburg State University (72-55) on Saturday night at the at the 2009 Freeman Sports Medicine/Chris Tucker Memorial Classic. The tournament was hosted by Missouri Southern and the games were played at Leggett & Platt Athletic Center.

Although the Evangels (4-3) never led against MSSU (4-0), a Charlie Shorter layup brought them within one (64-65) in the second half with 5:56 to play. Shorter led the Evangels in scoring with 17 points.

The Lions were 12 of 14 from the free throw line in the second half. Their last nine points came from the free throw line, securing the victory.

Brandon Williams and Nosa Amadasun were the only other Evangels scoring in double figures, each contributing 13 points.

For the game MACU shot 46 percent from the field, 53 percent from behind the arc and 54 percent from the free throw line.

The Lions edged out the Evangels on the boards 41-39. They shot 44 percent from the field, 23 percent from behind the arc and 76 percent from the free throw line.

The Evangels (4-4) took a 29-28 lead into intermission against Pittsburg State (5-1) but the Gorillas rallied after the break outscoring the MACU 44-26 in the second half.

John Shodipo led the Evangels in scoring with 13 points followed by Cameron Langster adding 10 points.

The Evangels shot 34 percent from the field and 72 percent from the free throw line.The Gorillas were led by Spencer Magana with 24 points. PSU shot 46 percent from the field and from behind the arc. They shot 56 percent from the free throw line. They outrebounded the Evangels 40-38.

MACU is back on the road Monday, November 30th when they travel to Sam Houston State University. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.