March 6, 2010

3.6.10 - Oklahoma City, Okla. - Second seeded Mid-America Christian University women's basketball team was upset by the fourth seed, Ecclesia University 82-75 at the Gaulke Activity Center on Saturday Afternoon.

The Lady Evangels jumped out to an early 10-point lead (12-2) with 16:16 to play in the first. MACU continued to control the first half leading by 17 points (24-7) with 10:45 to play. EC chipped away at MACU's lead; trailing but six at the break (36-30).

Ecclesia owned the second half. With 18:18 to go Lucinda Sylvain fouled out, leaving EC short handed. However, they were able to cut MACU's lead to 43-42 with 15 minutes to play. From there they gained momentum and never looked back.

MACU took a one point lead (71-70) with a three-pointer by Egidija Busaite but that is as close as the Lady Evangels would get. EC rallied with seven unanswered points to take a 77-71 lead with 1:40 to play and held on the rest of the way.

There were eight ties and five lead gains in the second half but EC, made crucial free throws down the stretch sealing the victory.

Ecclesia shot 81 percent from the free throw line, 49 percent from the field and 44 percent from three point range. The Lady Evangels shot 42 percent from the field, 27 percent from behind the arc and 61 percent from the line.

Julisa Mitchell led MACU in scoring with 19 points while contributing seven rebounds. Brittany Johnson added 17 points and led the team on the boards with eight rebounds. In her final game in the Lady Evangel uniform Karina Trindade contributed 11 points and seven rebounds. Busaite also added 11 points.

MACU ends their season 16-17 overall with a 7-15 Sooner Athletic Conference record. With the win, EC improved to 13-18 overall and receives an automatic berth to the NCCAA National Tournament.