Feb. 20, 2009
2.20.09 - Oklahoma City, Okla.- Playing their sixth game in eight days, the Mid-America Christian University women's basketball team shocked Sooner Athletic Conference opponent Rogers State University 69-68 in overtime at the Gaulke Activity Center on Thursday evening.
The Lady Evangels had three players with double digits in the total points category. April Hale and Danein Wells both put up 15 points on the night and Tiphani Eaves added 12 points.
"Anytime we have three shooters in double figures we are successful," women's basketball coach Markus Crandall said. "We had balanced scoring throughout the game with 38 points off the bench"
The largest lead of the first half came in the 16th minute when RSU led by seven points (11-4) but MACU took a one-point advantage (42-41) into the locker room at intermission. There were six lead changes in the first half each team holding the lead three times. April Hale was 3 for 4 from behind the arc with 11 points at the break.
MACU controlled the lead for most of the second half taking their largest lead of six points (57-51) with 7:13 to play. RSU went on a 10-4 run evening up the score at 61-61 under three minutes to play. RSU went up by two with a set of made free throws (63-61). April Hale tied the game (63-63) with a field goal with 2:44 to play. Both team had missed opportunities to end the game in regulation, MACU had the ball with under 30 seconds to play but Hale's jumper, with only second remaining, wouldn't fall sending the game into over time.
The overtime was grueling with the teams trading buckets throughout the 5 minutes. MACU led by one (69-68) with 42 seconds to play but RSU had the ball. MACU played good defense shutting down the RSU and winning the game.
MACU shot 52 percent from the field, 33 percent from behind the arc and 52 percent from the free throw line.
"Tonight is the highest field goal percentage we have had all year," Crandall said. "I am proud of the effort. To win four games in seven day is amazing. They played with a lot of heart."
The Lady Evangels get a day of rest before they head to John Brown University on Saturday, February 21st. Tip-off is at 6 p.m.
