Tyler Texas -- The Mid-America Christian Lady Evangels were defeated 59-54 by the Texas College Lady Steers in a non-conference matchup Monday evening (Nov. 15) in Tyler, Texas.
The opening half was close thoughout and featured nine ties, with the last coming in a 28-28 deadlock at the break.
MACU trailed 42-40 when the Lady Steers went on a 9-2 spurt that stretched the advantage to nine at 51-42 with 4:57 remaining.
A trey by Egidija Busaite and an offensive putback by Nicole Wittman brought the Lady Evangels back to within 51-47 at the 4:07 mark.
The Lady Evangels (2-2) got as close as two on another three by Busaite with 2:44 left that made it 53-51.
But consecutive buckets by British Thomas and Ashley Proctor expanded the deficit back to six with 1:21 left.
Brittany Woodard gave the Lady Evangels a last gasp effort with a trey that made it 57-54, but a pair of free throws by Elise Kea sealed the win for the Lady Steers (4-0).
April Hale had a team-high 13 points for the Lady Evangels and Nicole Wittman recorded a team-best six rebounds.
Chardonnay Nelson led three Lady Steers in double-figures with 16, with Thomas adding 15. Proctor scored 10 and grabbed a team-best 10 boards.
The Lady Evangels will next play a pair of exhibition games against NCAA Division II opponents in Weatherford, Okla. this upcoming weekend at the Southwestern Oklahoma State Classic.
MACU will face Texas A&M-Commerce Friday (Nov. 19) at 1 p.m. and then face tournament host Southwestern Oklahoma State on Saturday evening (Nov. 20) at 5:30 p.m.
