March 7, 2009

3.7.09 - Lakewood, Colo.- The Mid-America Christian University women's basketball team upset NCAA division II opponent Colorado Christian University 77-65 in the NCCAA Division I Regional Championship game on Saturday afternoon at Cougar Tooth Terrace.

The win marks the Lady Evangel basketball team's first NCCAA Division I regional title and the second for the MACU athletic program with men's soccer winning one in the fall.

Karina Trindade led the team with 21 points and 14 rebounds, making it her seventh double double of the season. Three other Lady Evangels scored in double figures: Tiphani Eaves and Nathalia Araujo each had 12 points and April Hale added 10.

The Lady Evangels never trailed in the contest and took a 44-37 lead into the locker room at intermission.

MACU led by double digits for the last 10 minutes of play winning by 12 with a final score of 77-65.

The Lady Evangels had 10 turnovers in the game compared to the Lady Cougars who had 18.

"We played the best basketball we have played all year today," women's basketball coach Markus Crandall said. "The girls played with great enthusiasm and heart. We passed so well today, inside the paint and on the perimeter. We are excited about our trip to the NCCAA Division I National Championship."

The Lady Evangels will travel to Warsaw, Indiana for the NCCAA Women's Division I National Tournament being held March 12-14 at Grace College. More tournament information to follow.