Dec. 12, 2009

12.12.09 - Oklahoma City, Okla.- In a pivotal game for both teams, going into the break, sophomore Charlie Shorter led the Evangels with 23 points as Mid-America Christian University defeated Oklahoma City University 71-56 on Saturday evening at the Gaulke Activity Center

The win marks MACU (6-4, 2-1 SAC) first victory over the Stars (5-5, 1-2 SAC); pushing the Evangels past OCU in the Sooner Athletic Conference standing.

For the game, MACU shot 43 percent from the floor and out-rebounded the Stars 41-35.

Cameron Langster and John Shodipo joined Shorter, scoring in double digits. Langster added 15 points while Shodipo contributed 10 points.

The Evangels controlled the pace of the game. OCU only led in the first two minutes of play when the teams traded buckets. MACU took the lead with just under 13 minutes to play in the first half, going on a 12-2 run (22-11). The Evangels never looked back, the Stars trailed for the remainder of the game.

Shorter closed out the first half, draining a three-pointer with four seconds to play. The Evangels took a 12 point lead (36-24) into the locker room at intermission.

With 15:16 to play in the game, OCU came within four points of the lead with a three-pointer by Chris Brown (44-40). Brown led the Stars in scoring with 20 points on the night.

The Evangels countered with an 8-0 run, extending their lead to 12 points (52-40) with 12:43 to play. The Evangels largest lead of the night came with 39 seconds to play when Shorter scored a breakaway dunk giving MACU and 18 point advantage (71-53).

MACU will take the road one last time in 2009, traveling to Southeastern Oklahoma State University on Thursday, December 17th with tip-off set for 7 p.m.